Judge lets stand case against 'YoungLioness,' a woman accused of trying to join terror group

PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has let stand the case against a Philadelphia woman accused of plotting to join the Islamic State group in Syria.

Thirty-year-old Keonna Thomas was arrested in April at a public housing development in Philadelphia and charged with attempting to provide material support for a foreign terrorist organization.

Authorities allege that she was preparing to fly to Spain with hopes of reaching Syria and told an Islamic State fighter that taking part in a martyrdom operation "would be amazing."

They say she called herself "YoungLioness."

Defense attorneys argued that the charge violated her rights to freedom of speech and association and was improper for other legal reasons.

The Philadelphia Inquirer (http://bit.ly/1NFL82h ) reports that a federal judge rejected the arguments Wednesday and said the case should be decided at trial.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com