A Terror Suspect Who Fits No Profile

(CBS)  She called herself "Jihad Jane" - a petite blonde from the Philadelphia suburbs accused of trying to recruit terrorists for attacks overseas via the Internet. The neighbors had no clue and neither did her boyfriend. But federal prosecutors say 46-year-old Colleen LaRose may represent the new face of terrorism, as CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reports.

In many ways she represents the greatest fear of the FBI - a suspected terrorist who fits no profile; a U.S. citizen who can travel freely and blend right in.

On her Myspace page last June, an anonymous "Jihad Jane" wrote, "I'm so bored I want to scream."

But, prosecutors say, at that time the woman behind the veil - LaRose - was actually very busy inside her suburban Philadelphia home mapping terror plans and hoping to become a martyr.

"I am in shock," said Pennsburg, Penn., resident Tina Schwenk. "I can't believe it. I can't believe that in this small community like this that this is going on."

Prosecutors say LaRose - hiding behind the aliases "Jihad Jane" and "Fatima LaRose" - recruited fellow radicals over the Internet. She's accused of traveling to Europe and conspiring with others in a failed attempt to kill Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, who had sketched the prophet Mohammed as a dog.

This federal indictment cites an e-mail from LaRose pledging to kill her target.

"I will make this my goal," she wrote, "till I achieve it or die trying."

And the government says blond-haired, blue-eyed LaRose knew her appearance would protect her from suspicion. In another e-mail she wrote she'd "blend in with many people" and that "may be a way to achieve what is in my heart."

Her boyfriend, Kurt Gorman, said he had no idea LaRose may have been a closet jihadist.

Hers is the latest in a string of recent cases involving U.S. residents making cyber connections to link up with terrorists. Denver shuttle driver Najibullah Zazi joined with al Qaeda and schemed to blow up New York subways. Chicagoan David Headley conspired with a Pakistani terror group to plan the bombings in Mumbai, India.

And accused Fort Hood shooter Major Nidal Hasan traded nearly 20 e-mail messages with radical Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

The challenge for the FBI is identifying the real threats amid the bluster.

"It's really hard to gauge those that are just involved in rhetoric and those who are actually going to take action," said Rick "Ozzie" Nelson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "And that's a big jump and a big difference."

The Internet is filled with Web sites and videos promoting Jihad and bloggers, many based in the U.S., looking for recruits. On Wednesday CBS News researcher Khaled Wassef scrolled through a long list.

"It would not be an exaggeration if I said that there are at least dozens of bloggers operating from the United States," Wassef said.

Free speech of course is protected. But law enforcement officials face vexing questions. When do Internet rantings cross the line and become actionable threats? And how can the FBI police an anonymous cyber-world often viewed as the new Wild West?

[johndevinejr]

We shouldn't lable people like this woman as crazy. Then they will seekk to be absolved of their actions based on insanity. Call them what they are.. azz-holes.

[skydotcom]

What a racist headline! ?NO PROFILE? Oh, she's got a profile all right; Female, white, blue-eyed, blond? That's her profile. How convenient (and typical) that more than a few Americans can't see the profile in that. You think that's a ridiculous profile? I do too, just as I think profiling has been unfairly applied to people that look more like me. (And I've felt it since LONG before 9/11?)

[I_am_me1953]

RE: by skydotcom March 11, 2010 10:26 AM EST

"What a racist headline! ?NO PROFILE? Oh, she's got a profile all right; Female, white, blue-eyed, blond?"

You forgot 46-year-old.

=======================

He11, she could be my ex. My ex was/is crazy and the description matches really well.

[edgy44]

Put her to sleep.

[MilitaryRetiree]

Fits no profile ? ? ? She, by her own declaration, is a Muslim, and THAT relates to terrorism. Muslims are a treacherous bunch of people, and live ONLY to commit terrorist acts, and hate crimes, killing innocent people (in particulare, Christians) who have done absolutely no harm or ill will to them. All these acts are performed under the guise of Islam, a "religion" of peace and love. They bear watching and keeping tabs on.

[SIKCHUTNAY]

HEY SHE LOOKS LIKE THAT WOMAN ON FOOD NETWORK'S SEMI HOMEMADE

[asamiller]

There is a weird pleasure in becoming part of a righteous cause and hating those you perceive as being your enemies. Its likely the same trip that Glenn Beck, Limbaugh and Sarah Palin, Ahmadinjead and the rest of these whack jobs are on.

[jayrh]

I guess it would be fair to say that you don't know who the enemey is? You're just angry?

[johndevinejr]

That is the way the right has always gained followers. Gin up the fear and encourage hate. All you have to do is listen to Beck, Limbaugh Palin and the like.

[cravin_moorehead]

"A Terror Suspect Who Fits No Profile"?

Let try the profile "Insane". How does that work for you?

[wyodutch]

Ah yes... Another whack-a-mole surfaces and the entire population of America flees in panic.
.
You ain't gonna live forever... You will die someday, no matter how much "safety" the government promises to provide. The only thing for you to decide is how you live your life.
.
Freedom and "safety" are mutually exclusive. You cannot have one without giving up the other. Will you live your life in fear... Or, will you grow a pair and breathe the exhilarating air of Freedom?

[longtree-2009]

wonder what her background is such as original religion, education, family history, criminal history, current income level, job history?

[sdh26234]

Yes indeed, this is one more evidence that America is on the road of self-destruction, just like all previous Empires! God only knows how many other complete whites might be doing such! While America is now completely and fully in full disobedience to the "commanding orders" that of the Founding Fathers, in just about any and everthing! In essence, America is actually more and more terrotizing the whole world with its more and more inhumane and horrendous war machinery and circling planet earth with its militaristic and imperialistic fever! History is prove of such, right?