In federal court Monday, two local residents pleaded guilty to terrorism charges filed against them.
They both took plea deals after they were charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS in separate cases.
Federal prosecutors said last year 46-year-old Waheba Dais, a mom of seven from Cudahy, “hacked social media accounts to promote ISIS ideology,” recruit followers and provide instructions “on how to make explosives and biological weapons and on how to conduct terrorist attacks…”
In one Facebook post Dais wrote in part, “…I was and I continue to be on the doctrine of the Islamic State,” according to her plea agreement.
“She spread ISIS’ message of violence to numerous individuals in countless places,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger said.
This included sharing step-by-step videos for making bombs and poison with potential ISIS attackers.
“Without people like Dais to perpetuate extremism online, ISIS’ reach would be much more constrained,” he said.
Two years earlier, Yosvany Padilla-Conde of Milwaukee conducted similar acts by helping a man named Jason Ludke try to provide materials and resources to the Islamic State Group.
Krueger said both cases reveal the continuing threat of homegrown terrorism.
“While ISIS no longer controls any significant parts of Iraq or Syria, they continue to exist online and in the hearts and minds of those who believe that violence against innocence is an acceptable means to an end,” he said.
Officials say this serves as a reminder for residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Both face up to 20 years in prison with a maximum term of supervised release for life, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Dais could also face removal from the country as she is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., but not a citizen.
Her sentencing is scheduled for September 12. Padilla-Conde’s sentencing is scheduled for August 7.
