BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Western New York woman has been arrested on federal charges accusing her of attempting to provide financial support to the designated foreign terrorist organization Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) through a series of cryptocurrency transfers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, has been charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources, specifically currency, to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, also known as the Al-Quds Brigades, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
If convicted, Washburn faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to federal prosecutors, Washburn is identified as a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an extremist organization formed following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack against Israel. Investigators allege the organization rejects peaceful protest methods in favor of direct action, including acts of sabotage and property destruction against entities it associates with Israel.
Federal authorities allege Washburn expressed repeated support for violent attacks against Israeli civilians while communicating online with an individual who claimed to be a Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighter operating in Gaza.
According to the criminal complaint, the communications were uncovered after the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force executed search warrants during February and March 2026 and analyzed electronic devices and digital communications recovered during the investigation.
Investigators allege Washburn exchanged numerous messages with the individual discussing Palestinian Islamic Jihad operations, weapons, ammunition, and ongoing attacks against Israel.
Court documents allege Washburn made several statements expressing support for the terrorist organization and its activities. Prosecutors also allege she stated she wished she could fight alongside members of the organization if she were in Gaza, praised violent attacks, and expressed hatred toward Jewish people.
Federal investigators further allege Washburn told the individual she became excited whenever she learned of Israeli soldiers being killed and discussed previous interactions with other fighters affiliated with terrorist organizations.
Authorities also allege Washburn acknowledged the legal risks associated with her activities in one message from November 2025, writing that her fundraising and online postings could result in multiple life sentences before reportedly including a laughing emoji.
A financial investigation conducted by federal authorities determined Washburn allegedly made approximately 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling 30,116 USDC, a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin valued at approximately $30,116, to an account allegedly used by the individual claiming affiliation with Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
According to investigators, the cryptocurrency transfers form the basis of the federal material support charge.
The criminal complaint also includes photographs that prosecutors allege depict Washburn posing with two hand grenades in front of a Hamas flag. Federal authorities included the images as part of the investigative record supporting the complaint.
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said the government intends to aggressively prosecute individuals who attempt to support foreign terrorist organizations.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York stated that investigators believe Washburn attempted to provide financial assistance to terrorist organizations motivated by her hatred of Israel and Jewish people, adding that law enforcement intervention prevented additional support from reaching violent extremists.
Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division said the FBI remains committed to identifying and disrupting financial support networks that assist designated terrorist organizations worldwide.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Allen D. Davis II. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey for the Western District of New York and Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section.
Because the case was initiated through a criminal complaint, the allegations have not been tested in court. Washburn is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in federal court.
🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥
🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥
📖 INK & FIRE: BOOK 1 📖
A bold and unapologetic collection of poetry that ignites the soul. Ink & Fire dives deep into raw emotions, truth, and the human experience—unfiltered and untamed
🔥 Kindle Edition 👉 https://a.co/d/9EoGKzh
🔥 Paperback 👉 https://a.co/d/9EoGKzh
🔥 Hardcover Edition 👉 https://a.co/d/0ITmDIB
🔥 NOW AVAILABLE! 🔥
📖 INK & FIRE: BOOK 2 📖
A bold and unapologetic collection of poetry that ignites the soul. Ink & Fire dives deep into raw emotions, truth, and the human experience—unfiltered and untamed just like the first one.
🔥 Kindle Edition 👉 https://a.co/d/1xlx7J2
🔥 Paperback 👉 https://a.co/d/a7vFHN6
🔥 Hardcover Edition 👉 https://a.co/d/efhu1ON
Get your copy today and experience poetry like never before. #InkAndFire #PoetryUnleashed #FuelTheFire
🚨 NOW AVAILABLE! 🚨
📖 THE INEVITABLE: THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA 📖
A powerful, eye-opening read that challenges the status quo and explores the future unfolding before us. Dive into a journey of truth, change, and the forces shaping our world.
🔥 Kindle Edition 👉 https://a.co/d/0FzX6MH
🔥 Paperback 👉 https://a.co/d/2IsxLof
🔥 Hardcover Edition 👉 https://a.co/d/bz01raP
Get your copy today and be part of the new era. #TheInevitable #TruthUnveiled #NewEra
🚀 NOW AVAILABLE! 🚀
📖 THE FORGOTTEN OUTPOST 📖
The Cold War Moon Base They Swore Never Existed
What if the moon landing was just the cover story?
Dive into the boldest investigation The Realist Juggernaut has ever published—featuring declassified files, ghost missions, whistleblower testimony, and black-budget secrets buried in lunar dust.
🔥 Kindle Edition 👉 https://a.co/d/2Mu03Iu
🛸 Paperback Coming Soon
Discover the base they never wanted you to find. TheForgottenOutpost #RealistJuggernaut #MoonBaseTruth #ColdWarSecrets #Declassified
Sponsored • TRJ Ads
Inquiries: contact@therealistjuggernaut.com
I don’t understand this woman. Doesn’t she understand how so many of these jihadis treat women? There is this:
“…investigators believe Washburn attempted to provide financial assistance to terrorist organizations motivated by her hatred of Israel and Jewish people…”
I understand that anti-Semitism is growing in our world. I would just like to ask this woman one question: “Why do you hate Israel and the Jews so much?” I would be curious to hear her answer.
I know Israel has done things that are questionable but it seems to me that most of the time they are just trying to protect their own society. I think any Israeli who is guilty of war crimes or crimes against humanity should be put on trial and punished for the criminal they are. At the same time, there are two sides to every story. It seems there will be no peace in the Middle East anytime soon (not too difficult an assumption).
Thank you for this article and for the other interesting articles today, John. I wish you a great evening.
You’re very welcome, Chris.
I think one of the more troubling aspects of cases like this is how deeply hatred can influence a person’s thinking, regardless of where it originates. Once someone begins viewing an entire group of people as the enemy, it becomes much easier to justify words and actions that would otherwise be unthinkable.
You’re also right that there are often many layers to conflicts that have existed for generations. With articles like this, I try to stay focused on what investigators allege, what the evidence presented in court shows, and where the legal process leads from there.
Thank you again, Chris. I hope all is well, and I hope you have a great evening as well. 😎
You’re welcome, John, and thank you for this good reply. The point you made about hatred influencing a person’s thinking is a very good one. And in the Middle East “many layers to conflicts” fits there as well as anywhere in the world. I like it that your news stories don’t include much if any editorializing and that you save that for comments. As someone who appreciates “just the facts,” your news is the type that I look for.
I am well, thank you for asking. I hope all is well there and that you have a great evening!😊