Philly Area Woman Named As Terrorist

A woman from Pennsburg, PA has been charged with terrorism and using the Internet to wage a holy war against America.

U.S. government officials say Colleen R. LaRose, also known as Jihad Jane, is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, making false statements to a government official, and attempted identity theft.

LaRose faces life in jail if convicted and a $1 million fine.

“This case shows the use terrorists can and do make of the Internet,” said U.S. Attorney Michael L. Levy. “Colleen LaRose and five other individuals scattered across the globe are alleged to have used the internet to form a conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism, culminating in a direct order to LaRose to commit murder overseas.

An indictment says LaRose and five unindicted co-conspirators (located in South Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the United States) recruited men on the Internet to wage “violent jihad” in South Asia and Europe, and recruited women on the Internet who had passports and the ability to travel to and around Europe in support of terrorism.

The indictment says LaRose and her unindicted co-conspirators used the Internet to establish relationships with one another and to communicate regarding their plans, which included killing themselves, soliciting funds for terrorists, soliciting passports, and avoiding travel restrictions.

The indictment further charges that LaRose stole another individual’s U.S. passport and transferred or attempted to transfer it in an effort to facilitate an act of international terrorism.

Officials also say LaRose received a direct order to kill a citizen and resident of Sweden, and to do so in a way that would frighten “the whole Kufar [non-believer] world.”