Hopatcong woman who helped fund terror group's fight against Assad sentenced to prison
A 55-year-old Hopatcong woman was sentenced to two years and 10 months in federal prison after admitting she concealed financial funding and guidance she provided to terrorist organizations in Syria that were fighting to topple President Bashar Assad, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Maria Bell − a U.S. Army veteran − pleaded guilty to the charge during a hearing in June, having admitted she used encrypted apps throughout 2018 to communicate with members of Jabhat Fath al-sham, also known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, both of which have been designated terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department, and provided $3,150 to the groups' allies in Turkey and Syria, according to court records.
Furthermore, documents claim Bell used her military knowledge to advise the groups' members on matters of operational security, communications and firearms purchases.
A criminal complaint filed against Bell alleged she fostered a romance with one of the insurgents and stated in one message that he had "introduced [her] to a place and people where [she was] peaceful and happy," referring to her newly found Islamic faith.
In November 2018, Bell attempted to travel to Turkey to meet the insurgent but authorities prevented her from entering the country, records show.
The two groups Bell assisted splintered off from al-Qaeda and shifted focus to toppling Assad's regime in an effort to establish an Islamic Emirate in Syria, according to the European Council on Foreign relations.
"If Assad wins, I cannot get a visa into Syria," Bell purportedly wrote to the fighter in one communique.
The fighter, replied, "We do not defeat; We win or die," prompting Bell to respond: "I understand. I would rather see you die."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Hopatcong NJ woman who aided Syria terror groups sentenced
