Brooklyn Woman Sentenced to 19+ Years for Persistent Terrorism Support & Attempt to Flee Justice

In a pivotal victory for US counterterrorism efforts, Sinmyah Amera Ceasar, a 30-year-old Brooklyn native and US citizen, has been sentenced to 230 months in prison for her long-standing support of the terrorist organisation ISIS. Known online as “Umm Nutella,” Ceasar was convicted of multiple terrorism-related offences, including providing material support to ISIS, obstructing justice, and attempting to flee prosecution.

This case underscores the continuing challenge posed by homegrown terrorism and radicalisation, and the determination of federal authorities to disrupt such threats at every stage.

Radicalisation & Recruitment: The Early Years of a Terrorism Offender

Between January and November 2016, Ceasar operated numerous social media accounts glorifying ISIS and promoting violent jihad. She used these platforms to share extremist propaganda and facilitate recruitment, even helping at least five individuals plan travel to ISIS-controlled regions. Ceasar also expressed her own aspiration to become a martyr.

Her arrest at JFK Airport in November 2016, as she attempted to travel overseas to join ISIS, marked the start of a high-profile terrorism case. After pleading guilty in February 2017 to conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, she initially cooperated with law enforcement under a plea agreement.

Deception & Continued Extremism: Obstructing Justice & Breaching Bail

Despite her cooperation, Ceasar resumed contact with ISIS supporters in 2018, deleted evidence, and lied to investigators — violating both her bail terms and her cooperation agreement. In March 2019, she pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding.

Her original sentence of four years, handed down by Judge Jack Weinstein in June 2019, was appealed by the government. In August 2021, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals found the sentence “shockingly low” and remanded the case for resentencing, highlighting the gravity of her terrorism-related offences.

Flight, Capture & Escalation: A New Chapter of Criminality

Upon release in July 2020, Ceasar continued to violate the terms of her supervised release, communicating with extremists, using unapproved apps, and deleting communications. In August 2021, just as her resentencing loomed, she removed her electronic ankle monitor and fled New York, setting off a nationwide terrorism fugitive hunt.

Captured in New Mexico two days later, Ceasar was found to have been planning an escape to Russia and had contacted a man in Afghanistan following the deadly ISIS-K suicide bombing at Kabul airport. In October 2022, she pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court, her third terrorism-linked felony.

Even while incarcerated, Ceasar circumvented prison monitoring systems and continued associating with ISIS sympathisers, reinforcing concerns over her unrepentant ideology.

Justice Department’s Terrorism Crackdown

Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stated that the case represented a decisive moment in the government’s continued fight against domestic terrorism. US Attorney John J. Durham and FBI Counterterrorism Assistant Director David J. Scott echoed this sentiment, warning that Ceasar’s unrelenting support for terrorism necessitated the severe sentence.

This prosecution demonstrates that individuals who seek to harm the United States or support terrorist organisations will face unrelenting pursuit and accountability — regardless of attempts to cooperate, deceive, or flee.

Read the press release here.