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A New York woman, Victoria Jacobs, gets 18 years for financing terrorism with cryptocurrencies
It took the jury less than three hours to return from deliberations with convictions on all counts.
On Tuesday, the prosecutor, David Stuart, said Ms. Jacobs viewed the United States and New York as “enemies” and showed “zero remorse” for her actions. She supported terrorist organizations and their activities from the “shadows of the Internet,” she said.
And after her conviction, Ms. Jacobs “became vengeful” and “attempted to undermine the judicial process,” Stuart said. In recorded phone calls from prison, Ms. Jacobs said that once released, she would take revenge on the New York Police Department, the Manhattan district attorney’s office and the courts.
In response, Mr Fineman asked the court to show mercy and said Ms Jacobs had undergone a psychological evaluation which found several mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. She was “vulnerable” and “alone” during the years prosecutors alleged she committed the crimes, she said.
Before sentencing, Ms Jacobs addressed the court, saying the case against her began as an issue with her landlord before spiraling. Her landlord, she said in a meandering explanation, accused her of being connected to terrorism “because I am originally from Uzbekistan, a transgender woman and a Muslim woman.”
Ms. Jacobs continued speaking for several minutes, mentioning Mr. Bragg and the popular video game Call of Duty. Judge Drysdale interrupted her to ask, “Anything else, Mrs. Jacobs?” She continued for another few minutes as the judge continued to interrupt her, saying “Okay, Ms. Jacobs” and “I’ve already heard your explanation.” After a few more minutes, the judge began his sentencing.