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Philadelphia woman charged for attempting to support Islamic State

Xinhua, April 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Philadelphia woman was charged on Friday with attempting to provide support and resources to the extremist group the Islamic State (IS), the U.S. Justice Department said.

Keonna Thomas, 30, also known as Fatayat Al Khilafah and YoungLioness, was charged with knowingly attempting to offer the IS material support and resources, including herself as personnel, the Justice Department said in a statement, adding that Thomas attempted to travel overseas in order to join and fight with the IS.

Thomas allegedly engaged in electronic communications with an IS fighter in Syria, who asked Thomas if she wanted to be a part of a martyrdom operation, the statement said. Thomas responded by saying, "that would be amazing...a girl can only wish."

Thomas also allegedly conducted online research into several indirect travel routes to Turkey, and allegedly purchased an electronic visa to Turkey.

Turkey in recent months is known to be the most common and most direct transit point for individuals to enter Syria and join the IS.

If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, the statement said. Endite