DOJ Announces Charges Against New York Woman Accused of Funding Terror Group
An Irondequoit, New York woman has been arrested on federal charges alleging she attempted to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization through cryptocurrency transfers and encrypted communications, according to the Justice Department (DOJ).
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Authorities say Catherine Beth Washburn is accused of attempting to send digital currency to an individual she believed was connected to militant activity in Gaza.
She has been charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Court filings allege that the 37-year-old carried out approximately 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling about $30,000 to an account linked to the individual, with transactions occurring alongside ongoing encrypted communications.
Investigators say the financial activity was sustained over time and tracked through digital forensic and blockchain analysis.
According to the complaint, FBI search warrants executed in early 2026 uncovered encrypted messages between Washburn and a contact who claimed to be a PIJ fighter operating in Gaza.
Those communications allegedly included references to militant activity, weapons discussions, and developments tied to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Federal officials described the case as part of broader counterterrorism efforts targeting financial support networks tied to overseas extremist organizations, particularly those using cryptocurrency channels to move funds outside traditional banking systems.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Authorities say Catherine Beth Washburn is accused of attempting to send digital currency to an individual she believed was connected to militant activity in Gaza.
She has been charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Court filings allege that the 37-year-old carried out approximately 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling about $30,000 to an account linked to the individual, with transactions occurring alongside ongoing encrypted communications.
Investigators say the financial activity was sustained over time and tracked through digital forensic and blockchain analysis.
According to the complaint, FBI search warrants executed in early 2026 uncovered encrypted messages between Washburn and a contact who claimed to be a PIJ fighter operating in Gaza.
Those communications allegedly included references to militant activity, weapons discussions, and developments tied to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Federal officials described the case as part of broader counterterrorism efforts targeting financial support networks tied to overseas extremist organizations, particularly those using cryptocurrency channels to move funds outside traditional banking systems.
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