An ISIS fangirl from New York City, who reportedly idolized Osama Bin Laden, has been sentenced Wednesday, June 16, to 198 months, or 16 and a half years, in prison for making improvised bombs and for planning a terrorist attack on United States soil.
Noelle Velentzas, 33, of Queens, was reportedly convicted of distributing information regarding the making and use of an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction for a planned federal crime of violence, the Department Of Justice said.
Velentzas allegedly conspired of making bombs and causing terrorist attacks with her roommate, Asia Siddiqui, and a third woman Mel, who was an undercover law enforcement agent.
According to court documents, Velentzas and Siddiqui allegedly planned to build a bomb between 2013 and 2015 for terrorist attacks in various regions of the United States. The defendants taught each other chemistry and electrical skills for building explosives and detonating devices.
They reportedly studied the making of explosives used in terrorist attacks including famous attacks like the Boston Marathon bombing, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the 1993 World Trade Center attack.
They then researched how to make plastic explosives and build car bombs and acquired materials for building the explosive devices. The group had planned to target law enforcement and military-related targets in their bombings.
Court documents revealed their foiled plans to terrorize the funeral of New York City Police Department Officer Rafael Ramos, who was assassinated with his partner in Brooklyn before Christmas in 2014, the court documents revealed.
Velentzas reportedly expressed her support for waging a violent jihad and claimed that Osama Bin Laden was her hero. She showered praise for Bin Laden for the September 11th attacks and also praised Mohammed Shnewer, who was convicted of plotting a terrorist attack against members of the armed services at Fort Dix in New Jersey.
Velentzas had even set the background of her phone to a picture of Bin Laden, an informant revealed.
When Velentzas and Siddiqui were arrested in 2015, law enforcement officers searched their houses and reportedly found propane gas tanks, soldering tools, and car bomb instructions, as well as jihadist literature, machetes, and knives, reported New York Post.
Velentzas said that she takes full responsibility for her actions and that she wanted to kill fellow Americans because of Islamophobia and based on a sentiment that her religion needs to be defended.
“I’m ready to go home and rebuild my life and rebuild my life with my daughter,” she said during the trial.
Velentzas' co-defendant, Siddiqui reportedly pleaded guilty on Aug. 23, 2019, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in January 2020.
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