Irondequoit, New York — A 37-year-old upstate New York woman described as a stay-at-home mom has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), federal prosecutors announced.

Catherine Beth Washburn, of Irondequoit (a Rochester suburb), allegedly sent approximately $30,000 in cryptocurrency through about 80 transactions to an individual who claimed to be a fighter for the PIJ in Gaza. She also reportedly led an extremist pro-Palestinian group and exchanged messages praising violence against Israeli civilians.

Alleged Support and Communications

According to the criminal complaint, Washburn voiced strong support for the group, once telling a contact, “I wish every day were October 7.” Prosecutors say she was motivated by “self-described hate of Israel and Jewish people.” She is accused of leading the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), which formed after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and advocates for more radical actions.

Photos released by authorities show Washburn posing with grenades in front of a Hamas flag, further underscoring the allegations of her extremist views.

Charges and Penalties

Washburn faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. She was arrested on Tuesday.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force leading the investigation. Officials emphasized that anyone providing assistance to terrorist organizations will be held accountable.

This arrest highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt financial support for designated terrorist groups amid heightened global tensions. Washburn’s case is the latest in a series of prosecutions targeting individuals accused of materially aiding groups like PIJ.