Philly woman pleads guilty to plot to join Islamic State group

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/AP) - A Philadelphia woman has pleaded guilty to plotting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Keonna Thomas, 32, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

Defense lawyer Kathleen Gaughan said her client accepted responsibility and "looks forward to putting this behind her, and being a mother to her two young children."

Thomas was arrested in April at a public housing development, days before her planned trip overseas.

FOX 29 News talked to a local terrorism expert who said this is a major example of how homegrown terrorists represent the largest threat to our national security.

Former intelligence officer Jack Tomarchio also said a person who's not a member of any group, doesn't tell anybody or post about it on social media and decides to go operational is the most impossible to find.

Authorities alleged Thomas called herself Fatayat Al Khilafah and "YoungLioness" while trying to raise money online, and once told an Islamic State group fighter that taking part in a martyrdom operation "would be amazing."

Thomas faces 15 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17.