In Joliet, Illinois, a landlord convicted of a heinous hate-crime attack that resulted in the murder of a 6-year-old Muslim boy and critically injured his mother was sentenced to 53 years in prison. Joseph Czuba, 73, was found guilty in February for the murder of Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder and hate-crime charges concerning the boy’s mother, Hanan Shaheen.
Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak issued a comprehensive sentence of 30 years for the child’s death, an additional 20 years consecutively for the attack on Shaheen, with a further three-year term for the hate crime. Given his age, Czuba is unlikely to see life outside of prison.
Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, commented, “No sentence can restore what was taken, but today’s outcome delivers a necessary measure of justice.” He emphasized that young Wadee was targeted due to his identity as a Muslim and Palestinian. During the sentencing, Czuba remained silent, while his attorney, Lenard, chose not to comment.
The case drew widespread condemnation, with Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow’s office lambasting Czuba as a “morally reprehensible killer,” noting the immense impact of his actions. During the hearing, only Mahmoud Yousef, the boy’s great-uncle, spoke on behalf of the family. He stressed that no sentence could compensate for their loss, expressing the family’s frustration at not seeing the child’s potential realized.
Yousef implored Czuba to reveal what media reports might have incited his violent actions, yet received no response. The tragic events unfolded as tensions escalated due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which prosecutors argued provoked Czuba’s attack driven by the family’s Muslim faith. Evidence presented in court included harrowing testimonies from Shaheen alongside her frantic 911 call, crime scene photos, and police video. Wadee’s mother recounted how Czuba targeted them, demanding they leave due to their religion.
The incident took place in a rooming situation at Czuba’s home in Plainfield, approximately 40 miles from Chicago, where the family rented. Central to the prosecution’s case was the testimony of Shaheen, reliving Czuba’s brutal attack. His ex-wife, Mary, testified, describing Czuba’s growing agitation over the conflict in Gaza shortly before the attack.
The evidence presented revealed the horrific details of the assault, including Czuba stabbing the young boy 26 times, leaving the weapon embedded in the child. Graphic crime scene photos were shielded from view during the trial to spare the audience, including Wadee’s relatives, from their full impact.
Michael Fitzgerald, a Will County assistant state’s attorney, recounted to jurors the chilling nature of the crime, emphasizing the brutality of Czuba’s actions. The jury delivered their guilty verdict swiftly, taking less than 90 minutes.
The attack has stirred fears of anti-Muslim bias within Plainfield’s community, which has a significant Palestinian population. Large crowds attended Wadee’s funeral and a local playground was dedicated in his memory. Shaheen, who suffered over a dozen stab wounds, described how communication was peaceful with the Czubas until the war’s outbreak. Czuba reportedly demanded they vacate the property citing their religion as unwelcome.
“‘You, as a Muslim, must die,’” Shaheen testified, recounting Czuba’s chilling words. Officers found him outside their home post-attack, bloodied from the violent encounter.
In the aftermath, Wadee’s father, Odai Alfayoumi, who was divorced from Shaheen, filed lawsuits related to the incident. The U.S. Department of Justice has also launched a federal hate crimes investigation.
Following the verdict, Yousef addressed Czuba’s baseless beliefs, advocating for understanding and harmony, “We cannot bring hatred to this country. We need that to stop.” His words underscored a poignant call for love and acceptance over divisive rhetoric.