Philly Woman Accused Of Trying To Join ISIL To Remain Jailed
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia woman today was ordered held on charges of trying to join the terrorist organization "Islamic State." A federal magistrate agreed with federal prosecutors that she's a danger and a flight risk, and should be detained pending further court proceedings.
Keonna Thomas, 30, faces charges of knowingly attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Assistant US attorney Jennifer Williams says Thomas was ready to join, fight with, and martry herself on behalf of ISIL.
"Since the time of the search warrant and arrest of Ms. Thomas, there have been comments by a close associate on Twitter threatening a martyrdom operation here in the US, and also violence at the prison," Williams says, while refusing to say whether that close associate was one of the co-conspirators named in the federal affadavit.
But ssistant federal public defender Kathleen Gaughan says Thomas was arrested five days after agents searched her home on North 10th Street, near Girard, and that time lag shows she's not at risk to flee.
"If there is an indictment that is returned by the government, Keonna Thomas will be pleading not guilty," Gaughan adds.
Her defense lawyers also point out Thomas has no criminal record, and has nine- and seven-year-old daughters, her mother, a grandmother, and a brother all living in their home, along with a strong family network.
The next steps will be an indictment followed, presumably, by a trial.
