Jawad Fakroune, Extortion, Illinois 2026

A federal jury in Chicago has convicted a man of extortion charges for threatening and assaulting a local restaurateur to collect a debt.

Jawad Fakroune, also known as 'Angelino Escobar' or 'Anjelino Escobar,' 46, was found guilty on both extortion counts against him after a week-long trial in federal court.

Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah set sentencing for June 30, 2026.

Fakroune, a foreign national who recently resided in the Chicago area, loaned approximately $405,000 to the restaurateur in 2023 and 2024 to develop and open a new restaurant in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago and to pay back taxes.

However, in November 2024, Fakroune began to threaten the restaurateur about repayment of the loan. On the evening of Nov. 25, 2024, Fakroune confronted the restaurateur and threatened him over the manner and nature of the repayments. He then choked, kicked, and punched the restaurateur, while continuing to demand money and repeatedly threatening the lives of the restaurateur and his family.

The guilty verdicts were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Adam Jobes, Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Chicago.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Hennessy and Richard M. Rothblatt. Fakroune is set to be sentenced on June 30, 2026.

Fakroune's conviction is a significant blow to those who would use violence and intimidation to collect debts.

Defendant: Jawad Fakroune

Criminal Charge: Extortion

City and State: Chicago, IL

Crime Date: November 25, 2024

Sentence: Up to 20 years in federal prison (to be determined at sentencing on June 30, 2026)

Dollar Amount: Approximately $405,000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/federal-jury-convicts-man-extorting-money-chicago-restaurateur