'Jihad Jane' Faces Life in Prison When Sentenced in December
Colleen LaRose, also known as "Jihad Jane," faces a life sentence when she goes before a court in December. She has been in custody since 2009 and was due to be sentenced this month, but that was postponed until December.
LaRose was part of a plot to assassinate Swedish artist Lars Vilks, whose drawings offended Muslims. Vilks had drawn an image of the Prophet Mohammed with the body of a dog in 2007, immediately drawing the ire of Muslims worldwide.
She also admitted to aiding and abetting Islamic terrorists in their plan to commit murder. LaRose was charged with "conspiracy to murder a foreign target, conspiracy to support terrorists, and lying to the FBI," reported the New York Daily News.
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LaRose dubbed herself "Jihad Jane" to show her support for the Muslim community and posted several YouTube videos explaining her support for the group and her hopes to help in any way possible. She also used various online accounts "to publish violent jihadist literature, raise cash for militants and to recruit men online," added the NY Daily News.
The Pennsylvania citizen was living in Ireland at the time and returned to the United States to turn herself in to the FBI. Agents did not release details of her surrender until they were able to capture other reported terrorists.
"Today's indictment, which alleges that a woman from suburban America agreed to carry out murder overseas and to provide material support to terrorists, underscores the evolving nature of the threat we face," Assistant Attorney General David Kris said at the time.
"This case also demonstrates that terrorists are looking for Americans to join them in their cause, and it shatters any lingering thought that we can spot a terrorist based on appearance," Kris added.
LaRose is set to be sentenced on Dec. 19.
