Mississippi Woman Pleads Guilty to Trying to Join ISIS

A Mississippi woman who said she wanted to be a medic and treat wounded ISIS militants pleaded guilty on March 29 for trying to join the terrorist organization.
Mississippi Woman Pleads Guilty to Trying to Join ISIS
ISIS extremists parade down a street in Raqqa, Syria, on Jan. 14, 2014. (ISIS Website via AP)
3/30/2016
Updated:
4/10/2016

A Mississippi woman who said she wanted to be a medic and treat wounded ISIS militants pleaded guilty on March 29 for trying to join the terrorist organization. 

Jaelyn Delshaun Young, 20, converted to Islam when she was a chemistry student at Mississippi State University. She was once a cheerleader, homecoming maid, and honor student when she was in high school. She is the daughter of a police officer who served in the Navy reserve and a school administrator.

“After her conversion, Young distanced herself from family and friends and felt spending time with non-Muslims would be a bad influence,” prosecutors stated.

Citing her skills in chemistry, Young said she and her fiance could serve as medics treating the wounded.

“Do not alert the authorities,” Young wrote in the farewell letter to her family.

“I will contact you soon. I am safe. Don’t look for me because you won’t be able to retrieve me if you tried. I am leaving to become a medic,” she said.

The couple is waiting to be sentenced. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.