A federal judge on Tuesday said a Schiller Park mother of four will remain in federal custody while she awaits transfer to St. Louis to face charges that she sent money and supplies to terrorists.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole said the charges Mediha Medy Salkicevic faces are "as serious as they come" and deemed her a flight risk in denying her attorney's request that she be released on bond.
"Ours is a massive country with enumerable places to conceal oneself and one's family," Cole wrote in his order (.pdf).
Salkicevic, 34, is accused – along with five other people – of sending money and supplies to terrorist organizations including ISIS and Al-Qaida. According to an indictment, the suspects sent U.S. military uniforms, tactical gear and clothing, range finders, rifle scopes, and other military supplies.
The naturalized citizen, who was born in Bosnia, appeared in an orange jumpsuit but was less animated than her previous court appearances. She smiled and cracked a joke during an initial appearance on Saturday, and on Monday she repeatedly turned to look at her family while smiling, nodding reassuringly and blowing kisses. At one point she pumped her fist in the air and mouthed the words, "Stay strong." Another time she put her hand to her chin and dramatically pushed it high into the air, as if she was telling them to keep their chin up.
Salkicevic was arrested Friday during a traffic stop. She told authorities she was heading to renew passports for her two youngest daughters for a family trip to Bosnia in March.
The co-defendants were charged alongside her in Missouri, where they allegedly bought the military equipment in surplus stores.
