NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Queens woman and ISIS sympathizer who was studying how to make bombs for a terror attack in New York City was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison.
Asia Siddiqui's co-defendant and ex-rooommate Noelle Velentzas -- both of whom pleaded guilty this past summer -- is awaiting sentencing.
They pleased guilty to a charge of teaching or distributing information pertaining to the making and use of an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction in furtherance of a planned federal crime of violence.
“With the sentence imposed by the court, Siddiqui has been held accountable for her crimes. Inspired by radical Islam, Siddiqui and her co-defendant researched and taught each other how to construct bombs to be used on American soil against law enforcement and military targets,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “They were thwarted by the excellent work of the agents, analysts and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation and prosecution. For this, we are grateful.”
“Asia Siddiqui and co-defendant Noelle Velentzas were more than prepared to kill Americans and fellow New Yorkers. Thanks to the dedicated work of the FBI’s JTTF in New York and our many law enforcement partners, they never succeeded. Today, Siddiqui’s fate has been sealed as we await one final sentencing that will decisively bring this case to a close,” said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney.
“Today’s sentencing is a strong and timely reminder that the NYPD and its partners in law enforcement will never stop pursuing those who, if undetected, would plan and execute acts of terrorism in the United States,” said NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea. “I want to thank the members of the Department of Justice, the FBI and the NYPD for their work each and every day and on this investigation.”
The Department of Justice said between approximately 2013 and 2015, Siddiqui and Velentzas planned to build a bomb for use in a terrorist attack in the United States. "In furtherance of their plan, the defendants taught each other chemistry and electrical skills related to creating explosives and building detonating devices, conducted research on how to make plastic explosives and how to build a car bomb, and shopped for and acquired materials to be used in an explosive device," the department said. "They discussed similar devices used in past terrorist incidents like the Boston Marathon bombing, Oklahoma City bombing, and 1993 World Trade Center attack and researched potential targets of an attack, focusing on law enforcement and military-related targets."