Indictment Filed Against Philadelphia Woman Accused of Trying to Join ISIS

The Department of Justice has officially filed an indictment against a Philadelphia woman arrested earlier this month while allegedly planning to join the terrorist group ISIS in Syria.

Keonna Thomas, also known as Fatayat Al Khilafah, or YoungLioness, 30, of Philadelphia, was charged Thursday by indictment with knowingly and intentionally attempting to provide material support and resources, including herself as personnel, to a foreign terrorist organization. If found guilty, Thomas could face a 15-year sentence in federal prison.

Thomas was arrested on a criminal complaint on April 3 and ordered to remain in federal prison until her trial after a judge deemed her a flight risk.

The U.S. attorney says that Thomas intended to travel overseas in order to join, fight with, and martyr herself on behalf of ISIS before her arrest.

According to the complaint, Thomas used Twitter under the name YoungLionness and posted 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].”

Allegations say that Thomas applied for a U.S. Passport for the first time and engaged in electronic communications with an ISIS fighter in Syria, who asked Thomas if she wanted to be a part of a martyrdom operation.

Thomas allegedly responded by stating, “that would be amazing….a girl can only wish.” Thomas also allegedly conducted online research into various indirect travel routes to Turkey, and allegedly purchased an electronic visa to Turkey. The complaint says that Thomas purchased airline tickets on March 26 to fly to Spain on March 29.