Suspected Charlotte ISIS Recruiter will Remain in Jail

CHARLOTTE, NC – A Charlotte man accused of supporting and recruiting for ISIS will remain in the Mecklenburg County Jail while he awaits trial. A Federal Judge refused to release Erick Hendricks during a detention hearing Tuesday.

Linda Woods says she isn’t convinced her son was recruiting for ISIS.

“I never believed that. They can say what they want to say. I would never believe that,” Wood said after court. “He’s a patriotic child. He hasn’t been in any trouble for years and years,” she said.

But a Federal Court Judge heard enough from prosecutors to keep Erick Hendricks in jail for now.

The FBI arrested Hendricks last week at his home in Hidden Valley.

He’s accused of conspiring to provide material support and resources to ISIS.

In court Tuesday, defense attorney Richard Culler argued Hendricks doesn’t fit the ISIS profile and that the evidence was based on testimony from snitches.
At one point Hendricks broke down in tears. His attorney had to console him.

Eight family members were in court including Hendricks’ wife.

They question why it took a year to arrest him.
“It’s surprising isn’t it?” asked Hendricks’ stepson Muhammad Bevany. “That they left him with these allegations that they know, to just roam out in the public and society for over a year.”

Hendricks’ family maintains his innocence.

“It’s because he’s a successful African-American Muslim and I feel like it’s a witch hunt and I feel like the rest of them better be ready for it,” Woods said.