By 5 Towns Central Staff

BUFFALO, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) — A Rochester-area woman has been arrested on federal charges alleging she attempted to provide material support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, by sending more than $30,000 in cryptocurrency to an individual she believed was an active member of the group.

Federal prosecutors identified the defendant as 37-year-old Catherine Beth Washburn of Irondequoit, New York. She is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Washburn allegedly led the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an organization formed after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Prosecutors allege the group advocated acts of sabotage and property destruction rather than peaceful protest.

Court documents allege Washburn communicated extensively with an individual she believed to be an active PIJ operative in Gaza. Investigators say she expressed admiration for terrorist attacks against Israel and made numerous antisemitic statements in private messages, including expressing hatred toward Jewish people and support for additional attacks similar to those carried out on Oct. 7.

Federal investigators also allege financial records show approximately 80 cryptocurrency transactions totaling more than $30,000 sent to an account associated with the purported PIJ member.

In one message cited in the criminal complaint, Washburn allegedly joked that her fundraising activities could result in multiple life sentences.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said the charges reflect an effort to disrupt financial support for terrorist organizations, while FBI officials emphasized that investigating individuals accused of providing material assistance to foreign terrorist groups remains a top counterterrorism priority.

The charges are allegations, and Washburn is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Her case will proceed in federal court in the Western District of New York.

The Justice Department announced today that Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, was ARRESTED AND CHARGED by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources, namely currency, to designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) the… pic.twitter.com/AIQs3ooxbD

— National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice (@DOJNatSec) June 30, 2026

CASE UPDATE from @FBIBuffalo: Upstate New York Woman Arrested, Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad

Catherine Beth Washburn was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources,… pic.twitter.com/NpxsIJN4jk

— FBI (@FBI) June 30, 2026