The woman known as Jihad Jane,” who was charged with providing material support to terrorists, and who plotted to kill a Swedish artist whose work offended Islam, was sentenced Monday in Philadelphia federal court to 10 years in prison.
Colleen Rose, 50, a former resident of Montgomery County, Pa., pleaded guilty to a host of terrorism relarted charges on Feb. 1, 2011.
“Today, Colleen LaRose is being held accountable for her efforts to provide support to terrorists and encourage violence against individuals overseas,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Carlin in a statement. “I want to thank the many agents, analysts and prosecutors who helped bring about today’s result.”
“This case clearly underscores the evolving nature of the terrorist threat we now face in this country,” said U.S Attorney Zane David Memeger in a statement. “The Internet has made it easier for those who want to attack the American way of life to identify like-minded individuals to carry out their terroristic plans.”
Authorities charged that LaRose and her co‑conspirators 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, according to a Justice Department press release.
The release went on to say:
LaRose and her 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. LaRose also stole another individual’s U.S. passport and transferred it in an effort to facilitate an act of international terrorism.
She also received a direct order to kill Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who did some drawings depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a dog. Muslim extremists offered a $100,000 reward for his death.
She has already been in prison for four years, and has been cooperating with the feds.
