Jim Kouri
"Jihad Jane" headed for slammer
FacebookTwitter
By Jim Kouri
February 2, 2011

The Pennsylvania terror suspect dubbed "Jihad Jane" by cops and news reporters pleaded guilty on Monday to the charges of plotting to kill a Swedish cartoonist, providing material support to terrorists, and other criminal charges, according to a report from the Terrorism Committee of the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

The 47-year old Colleen LaRose, during a hearing in Philadelphia federal courtroom, admitted her role in a plot with others Islamic terrorists to kill the artist who had created a newspaper cartoon that portrayed the Prophet Mohammed in a way that was deemed offensive to Muslims.

LaRose, who has been in U.S. custody for more than a year, is facing a life sentence when she appears before a federal judge again on March 3.

Prosecutors said LaRose, who is from Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, used Internet screen names such as "Jihad Jane," "Fatima LaRose," "ExtremeSister4Life" and "SisterOFTerror."

Federal investigators had accused her of using multiple e-mail and YouTube accounts, other web sites and various online usernames and passwords to publish violent, radical Islamist literature and videos. She also used the Internet to raise money for terrorists.

LaRose originally pleaded not guilty in March 2010 after a federal grand jury indictment alleged that she recruited men online to wage "violent jihad," or holy war, in Asia and Europe.

Her case disturbed U.S. policymakers by revealing the threat of American citizens becoming radicalized by terrorist groups and being employed as suicide bombers, mules (people used to carry contraband) and participants in terrorism plots.

"Today's guilty plea, by a woman from suburban America who plotted with others to commit 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 national security.

According to the indictment, LaRose bragged to co-conspirators that being a blond, white woman would allow her to avoid detection as an Islamic terrorist.

She has a personal history of broken marriages and petty crime. In 2009, she reportedly traveled to Europe where she planned to train at a terrorist camp and then find and kill the Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks who drew the controversial Mohammed cartoon that resulted in outcries and riots within Muslim nations.

The indictment revealed that LaRose posted a comment on YouTube in 2008 that she was "desperate to do something somehow to help" the suffering Muslim people.

The charges against her became public in March after the arrest of seven other people in Ireland in connection with a suspected plot to kill the man they said dishonored the holy prophet Mohammed.

Justice Department officials said LaRose received a direct order to kill the cartoonist and agreed to carry out her murder assignment.

If the case had gone to trial, prosecutors claimed they would have proven that LaRose worked "obsessively on her computer to communicate with, recruit and incite other jihadists."

A second American woman, Jamie Paulin-Ramirez of Colorado, was among those arrested and has pleaded not guilty to similar charges in federal court in Philadelphia of plotting to kill Vilks. Her trial is scheduled for later this year.

© Jim Kouri

 

The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)


Jim Kouri

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police... (more)

Subscribe

Receive future articles by Jim Kouri: Click here

More by this author

September 10, 2017
Trump Justice: 'Dreamer' wanted for murder nabbed by feds in NJ and extradited


July 26, 2017
NJ 12-year-old's suicide a plea for cyber-bullying law: GOP candidate Heather Darling


June 12, 2017
Obama hampered law enforcement investigation of Iranian terrorism funding


June 2, 2017
Prez of Young Democrats and Mayor de Blasio staffer busted for kiddie porn; one victim 6-mos. old


May 29, 2017
The conservative approach to taxation and a healthy business climate


May 24, 2017
U.S. intelligence reports warn of cyber "Cold War"


March 3, 2017
Media attack Trump's terrorism expert Dr. Sebastian Gorka


December 23, 2016
Trump's border wall: The bill was passed and signed into law


December 22, 2016
Dem lawmakers demand commission to probe Trump-Russia conspiracy


December 14, 2016
Outraged Vets: VA hospital death touted as proof of Obama and Democrats indifference


More articles

 

Stephen Stone
HAPPY EASTER: A message to all who love our country and want to help save it

Stephen Stone
The most egregious lies Evan McMullin and the media have told about Sen. Mike Lee

Siena Hoefling
Protect the Children: Update with VIDEO

Stephen Stone
FLASHBACK to 2020: Dems' fake claim that Trump and Utah congressional hopeful Burgess Owens want 'renewed nuclear testing' blows up when examined

Pete Riehm
It’s not identities; it’s ideas!

Rev. Mark H. Creech
From ministry to need: Seeking help in my darkest hour

Jerry Newcombe
Bible sales increasing

Tom DeWeese
Change the debate and take back liberty locally

Steve A. Stone
Truth will out...maybe...someday

Curtis Dahlgren
On the need for noble mothers (and fathers)

Tom DeWeese
If you are illegal, come. We’ll give you $thousands and let you kill and rape. If you are legal, go to hell

Stanley Zir
The sky is not falling, Chicken Little, under Donald Trump

Jerry Newcombe
How Thanksgiving became a national holiday

Frank Louis
Thanksgiving Thoughts: If you think prayer doesn’t work, think again

Kari Lee Fournier
Almighty God vs. Satan: Thanksgiving during demolition of the Deep State!

Victor Sharpe
Glory or weakness: Israel’s eternal choice
  More columns

Cartoons


Click for full cartoon
More cartoons

Columnists

Matt C. Abbott
Chris Adamo
Russ J. Alan
Bonnie Alba
Chuck Baldwin
Kevin J. Banet
J. Matt Barber
Fr. Tom Bartolomeo
. . .
[See more]

Sister sites