Chicago Police and Hate Groups with Ties to Libya. When many people think of terror groups, they think it wasn't an issue prior to 2001. They are very wrong. And in many Cities what we now refer to as terror groups got their start as organized criminal street gangs. Check out the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms. The interview with Dr. James F. Pastor is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. Chicago is a city with a long history of organized crime, which has faced numerous challenges related to street gangs. Few are aware of the international connections that some of these gangs forged, leading to a dramatic chapter in the city’s law enforcement history. One of the most striking cases involves the Black P. Stones gang, which evolved into the El Rukn faction and collaborated with foreign actors, including Libya, in a plot against the United States. Retired Chicago Police Officer, Dr. James F. Pastor is our guest. The Black P. Stones: From Street Gang to Terrorist Group The Black P. Stones were founded in Chicago in the late 1950s as a street gang, but by the 1980s, they had transformed into a more dangerous organization. The gang rebranded as the El Rukn faction, adopting elements of Islamic ideology and aligning with radical causes. Their leader, a powerful and feared figure in Chicago’s criminal underworld, was at the center of an infamous conspiracy that connected the gang to the Libyan government. Chicago Police and Hate Groups with Ties to Libya. The interview with Dr. James F. Pastor is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. One of their leaders is currently serving a 168-year prison sentence for a range of crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to commit terrorist acts on behalf of Libya. The El Rukn faction even established its headquarters at a temple on South Drexel Avenue, where members plotted and carried out their activities. Libya’s Role: A Shocking Conspiracy In the mid-1980s, the El Rukns entered into a conspiracy with the Libyan government, led at the time by Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi. Libya, hostile toward the United States, sought to orchestrate attacks on American soil but lacked the means to do so. The El Rukns, eager to gain more power and resources, agreed to carry out attacks in exchange for $2.5 million and weapons. What began as a street gang’s quest for influence had escalated into a dangerous international terror plot. Keep informed by following the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeWe, Pinterest, Newsbreak, Medium and other social media platforms. The FBI, working closely with the Chicago Police Department, uncovered the conspiracy through extensive surveillance and undercover operations. Although their leader was incarcerated for drug-related crimes, investigators discovered that he continued to direct the group’s activities from prison. El Rukn members met with Libyan representatives in Panama to solidify the plot, which included plans to obtain military-grade weapons and explosives. Law Enforcement's Response: A Historic Investigation The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and Chicago Police Department played crucial roles in dismantling the El Rukn-Libya connection. Chicago law enforcement also took decisive action to prevent the group from carrying out its plans. In 1986, a raid on the group’s headquarters resulted in the seizure of multiple weapons, including hand grenades. By 1987, a 50-count indictment was filed against five key El Rukn members, and they were convicted of conspiring to commit terrorist acts on behalf of a foreign government. Chicago Police and Hate Groups with Ties to Libya. Listen to this interview as a free podcast on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. These convictions were historic, marking the first time American citizens had been convicted of plotting terrorist acts for a foreign government. The El Rukn case revealed just how far-reaching the influence of hate groups and criminal organizations could be, even from behind bars. The Role of Chicago Police and Dr. James F. Pastor One of the key figures involved in dismantling the El Rukn conspiracy was retired Chicago Police Officer James F. Pastor. Pastor, who had been investigating gangs in the 1980s, played an instrumental role in uncovering the group's ties to Libya. His involvement highlighted the complexities of policing in a city like Chicago, where local crime and international threats can become dangerously intertwined. Pastor got his Doctorate degree, became a Lawyer and a College Professor. He went on to become an expert in public safety, writing several books on terrorism, policing, and ...
