Wisconsin woman pleads guilty to terrorism charges

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin mother of seven pleaded has guilty to trying to plan terrorist attacks on behalf of the Islamic State group by distributing information on making explosives and biological weapons.

Waheba Issa Dais entered her plea Monday but the agreement was finalized last month. The 45-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to two counts of providing material support to terrorists but prosecutors dropped one of the charges in exchange for her guilty plea.

Court documents say she used hacked social media accounts to discuss possible attacks with self-proclaimed members of the Islamic State.

Prosecutors say Dais tried to recruit people to carry out attacks and provided information on making explosives and poisons.

Dais lives in Cudahy, a city just south of Milwaukee. She faces up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced Sept. 12.

The FBI said its investigation found that Dais used hacked social media accounts to discuss possible attacks with self-proclaimed members of IS, but that authorities have not connected her to any attack plots.

Her public defender, John Campion, told the judge in June of 2018 that Dais’ common-law husband abandoned her late last year. Authorities suspect Dais’ activities began in January.

“Essentially she lives this very circumscribed social existence,” Campion said.

He said she was “seeking social contacts, seeking perhaps a romantic relationship” with her online activity. He noted that she does not have a criminal record.

But prosecutor Gregory Haanstad said Dais was “relentless and driven” in her desire to carry out an attack.

The FBI said Dais suggested using the deadly toxin ricin in a government building or a reservoir somewhere in the U.S. during one of her conversations with an informant. In another instance, she suggested street festivals and summer celebrations as possible targets, the FBI said.

“Ms. Dais has shown not just a disregard for human life but an affirmative and apparently consuming desire to assist in mass killings,” Haanstad said.

Dais appeared in court handcuffed and with her legs in shackles. She smiled at family members as she walked into court and later as she was led out. Five of her seven children lived with her, Haanstad said, including three minors.

Haanstad told Judge Joseph Dais has a history of depression and bipolar disorder but has refused to take her medication.