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Colorado teen who tried to go to Syria pleads guilty to conspiracy to providing support to terrorists

DENVER (AP) — A 19-year-old suburban Denver woman who federal authorities say intended to wage jihad has pleaded guilty under a deal that requires her to give authorities information about others with the same intentions.

Shannon Conley of Arvada, Colorado pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization on Wednesday. She appeared in federal court wearing a striped jail jumpsuit and a brown and black headscarf. She said nothing except acknowledging that she understood the plea and its ramifications.

If she cooperates, prosecutors promise to ask a judge to reduce her sentence.

Authorities say the nurse’s aide was arrested at Denver’s airport in April as she boarded a flight she hoped would get her to Syria to marry an Islamic State fighter. Her attorney says she has been horrified to see the atrocities committed by the group and says being arrested may have saved her life.

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