WASHINGTON-David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National
Security, and Michael L. Levy, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania, together with Janice K. Fedarcyk, Special
Agent-in-Charge of the FBI in Philadelphia, today announced the
unsealing of an indictment charging Colleen R. LaRose, aka "Fatima
LaRose," aka "JihadJane," 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.
The
indictment charges that LaRose (an American citizen born in 1963 who
resides in Montgomery County, Pa.) 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 violent
jihad.
The indictment further charges that LaRose and her unindicted
co-conspirators used the Internet to establish relationships with one
another and to communicate regarding their plans, which included
martyring themselves, soliciting funds for terrorists, soliciting
passports, and avoiding travel restrictions (through the collection of
passports and through marriage) in order to wage violent jihad. 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.
In addition, according to the indictment, 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." The
indictment further charges that LaRose agreed to carry out her murder
assignment, and that she and her co-conspirators discussed that her
appearance and American citizenship would help her blend in while
carrying out her plans. According to the indictment, LaRose traveled
to Europe and tracked the intended target online in an effort to
complete her task.
"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," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for the National
Security Division. "I applaud the many agents, analysts, and
prosecutors who worked on this important investigation."
"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. LaRose-an American citizen whose appearance was considered to
be an asset because it allowed her to blend in-is charged with using
the Internet to recruit violent jihadist fighters and supporters, and
to solicit passports and funding. It demonstrates yet another very real
danger lurking on the Internet. 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."
"This case demonstrates that the FBI and our partners in the law
enforcement and intelligence communities must continue to remain
vigilant in the face of the threats that America faces, in whatever
form those threats may present themselves or no matter how creative
those who threaten us try to be," said Special Agent-in-Charge Janice
K. Fedarcyk of the Philadelphia Division of the FBI. "We must use all
available technologies and techniques to root out potential threats and
stop those who intend to harm us."
If convicted of the charges against her, LaRose faces a potential sentence of life in prison and a $1 million fine.
This
case was investigated by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. It is
being prosecuted by Jennifer Arbittier Williams, Assistant U.S.
Attorney from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Matthew F.
Blue, Trial Attorney from the Counterterrorism Section in the Justice
Department's National Security Division.
The
public is reminded that an indictment is an accusation and a defendant
is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
