Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Joseph Czuba, 73, of Plainfield, was sentenced recently by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak to 53 years in prison for hate crime murder. Czuba’s sentence includes 30 years in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Wadee Alfayoumi, 20 years in prison for the Attempt First Degree Murder of Hanan Shaheen, and three years in prison for Hate Crime. The sentence follows a five-day jury trial that concluded on February 28, with a finding from the jury that the murder of Wadee Alfayoumi resulted from exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty.
On October 14, 2023, the Plainfield Police Department and Will County Sheriff’s Police responded to the residence at 16201 S. Lincoln Highway, in Plainfield, after Hanan Shaheen called 911 indicating the defendant, Joseph Czuba, was killing her baby with a knife. Upon arrival, police located the victim, Wadee Alfayoumi, six, unresponsive lying on a bed with multiple stab wounds to the chest and a knife protruding from his torso. Deputies made contact with Wadee’s mother, Hanan, who had multiple stab wounds from the defendant. Hanan indicated she and Wadee lived at the defendant’s residence, where they rented two rooms.
On the day of the attack, the defendant forced his way into Hanan’s bedroom and attacked her with a large knife. Hanan was able to lock herself in the bathroom, where she waited for help. While Hanan was in the bathroom, the defendant proceeded to attack Wadee, stabbing him 26 times until he succumbed to his injuries. In the days leading up to the fatal altercation, the defendant expressed concern over the Hamas/Israel conflict and had asked Hanan to move out because she and Wadee were Muslim.
“There is no sentence that can be imposed to bring justice for the heinous actions Czuba took on October 14, 2023,” Glasgow said. “The cruelty of this morally reprehensible killer and the impact of his violent conduct on this innocent child and mother is truly unfathomable.”
Czuba’s sentence for First Degree Murder, Attempt First Degree Murder, and Hate Crime will be served consecutively to each other. He will receive 566 days credit for time served.