A Philadelphia woman dubbed “YoungLioness” has been arrested for supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Keonna Thomas, also known as Fatayat Al Khilafah and YoungLioness, 30, was charged Friday with knowingly attempting to provide material support and resources — including herself — to the Islamic State.
Thomas had allegedly researched how to get to Turkey and then enter Syria from there to join the Islamic State. According to the Justice Department, she bought airline tickets on or about March 26 to fly overseas March 29.
The criminal complaint says Thomas posted many pro-Islamic State statements, including: “If we truly knew the realities … we all would be rushing to join our brothers in the front lines pray ALLAH accept us as shuhada [martyrs].”
She was also allegedly in communications with an Islamic State fighter in Syria, who asked Thomas if she wanted to be part of a martyrdom operation, to which she replied: “that would be amazing … a girl can only wish.”
If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
