A federal grand jury has indicted Jawad Fakroune, also known as "Angelino Escobar" or "Anjelino Escobar," on charges of extortion. Fakroune, 45, from Morocco, allegedly threatened and assaulted a Chicago restaurateur over a financial dispute.
The indictment was issued by the U.S. District Court in Chicago and arraignment is set for February 5, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah.
According to a criminal complaint previously filed, Fakroune loaned approximately $405,000 to the restaurateur in 2023 and 2024 to start a new restaurant in Lincoln Park. The restaurateur repaid part of the loan, but a disagreement arose in November 2024 regarding the remaining amount owed. On November 25, 2024, Fakroune allegedly visited the restaurant and claimed that $1.5 million was still due. He is accused of threatening the restaurateur and his family while physically assaulting him.
Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office; and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation's Chicago Field Office announced the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Hennessy and Richard M. Rothblatt represent the government.
It is important to note that an indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. The defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
