PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS – A 73-year-old Illinois man was sentenced to 53 years in prison on Friday for the hate-crime murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy and the attempted murder of the child’s mother. The sentencing, handed down on May 2, 2025, in Will County, Illinois, followed a swift guilty verdict earlier in the year in a case that drew national attention to the disturbing rise of anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian sentiment.
Joseph Czuba, the landlord of the victims, received the lengthy sentence from Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak. He was found guilty in February 2025 of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crime, and two counts of aggravated battery. The brutal attack occurred on October 14, 2023, at Czuba’s home in Plainfield, where Wadee Alfayoumi and his mother, Hanan Shaheen, resided as tenants.
The Horrific Attack
Prosecutors detailed how Czuba, allegedly fueled by hate related to the victims’ Islamic faith and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas which had begun days prior, launched a violent assault. The court heard harrowing testimony about the attack, in which 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi was stabbed a devastating 26 times, injuries that proved fatal. His mother, Hanan Shaheen, also sustained more than a dozen stab wounds during the frenzied attack but remarkably survived after managing to call 911 for help.
The Investigation and Trial
The swift response by law enforcement led to Czuba’s apprehension. The subsequent investigation unearthed evidence suggesting the attack was premeditated and directly motivated by ethnic and religious hatred. The trial, held in Will County, presented a compelling case against Czuba.
Hanan Shaheen’s emotional and crucial testimony was central to the prosecution’s case. The jury also reviewed other key evidence, including the chilling 911 call made by Shaheen from the scene and graphic crime scene photographs that depicted the severity of the violence. The evidence presented underscored the prosecution’s argument that Czuba acted out of deep-seated animosity.
Guilty Verdict and Sentencing Details
The jury, after hearing all the evidence and testimony, deliberated for less than 90 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on all major counts. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow commented on the exceptionally heinous nature of the crime, highlighting the brutality inflicted upon a young child and his mother.
The 53-year sentence includes specific terms allocated for each conviction: 30 years for the first-degree murder of Wadee Alfayoumi, a consecutive 20 years for the attempted murder of Hanan Shaheen, and an additional three years for the hate crime charge. Given Czuba’s age of 73, the length of the sentence makes it highly probable that he will spend the remainder of his life incarcerated.
Community Reaction and Call to Action
The sentencing was met with strong reactions from advocacy groups. Organizations such as CAIR-Chicago and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) issued statements following the court’s decision. They emphasized the need to actively combat hate and bigotry in all its forms and highlighted the tragic death of young Wadee as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of unchecked prejudice.
The case serves as a grim example of how international conflicts can fuel domestic hate crimes and underscores the vulnerability of minority communities. The lengthy sentence is seen by many as a measure of justice for the victims and a strong condemnation of hate-motivated violence by the Illinois justice system.
