Suburban Denver teen pleads guilty in terror case

Photo: Shannon Maureen Conley's childhood home (AP Photo)
The home of Ana Maria and John Conley is pictured in Arvada, Colo., on Thursday, July 3, 2014, is where their daughter Shannon Maureen Conley, 19, lived until her arrest by the FBI in April. FBI agents tried more than once to discourage Conley, who said she was intent on waging jihad in the Middle East before arresting her in April as she boarded a flight she hoped would ultimately get her to Syria.

A 19-year-old suburban Denver woman who federal authorities say intended to wage jihad has pleaded guilty to trying to help the Islamic State militant group in Syria.

Shannon Conley pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Denver to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. She wore a black and brown headscarf with her striped jail uniform.

Authorities say she was arrested at the Denver airport in April as she boarded a flight she hoped would get her to Syria.

Documents say Conley told FBI agents that she wanted to use her skills as a nurse's aide to help the militants. Agents repeatedly tried to discourage her.

Authorities say she wanted to marry a man she met online who claimed to be fighting with the Islamic State group.

Conley has agreed to divulge details about conspirators. Federal prosecutors says she faces 5 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Details of her plea agreement have not been made public. Her public defender declined to comment.