A Schiller Park mother of four accused of sending money and supplies to terrorists could face 30 years in prison, yet was all smiles when she walked into Chicago’s federal court Monday morning.
Mediha Medy Salkicevic wore an orange jail uniform and a black veil over her face as she walked into court with her hands shackled.
The 34-year-old Bosnian immigrant 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 is accused – along with five other people – of sending money and supplies to terrorist organizations including ISIS and Al-Qaida. According to the indictment, the suspects sent U.S. military uniforms, tactical gear and clothing, range finders, rifle scopes, and other military supplies.
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.
She was transported to FBI headquarters, where agreed to speak to agents – without an attorney. The videotaped interview lasted two hours.
Court records show that since 2013, Salkicevic has made at least three transfers through Paypal and Western Union in the amounts of $1,500, $1,200 and $1,062 to others involved.
Local
NBC5 Investigates found that Salkicevic filed for bankruptcy in Cook County in 2012. Those records show at the time she was making $12 an hour as a supervisor at Alliance Ground International, a cargo company that deals with items coming in and out of O’Hare International Airport.
According to her attorney Andrea Gambino, Salkicevic has worked the night shift seven days a week at Alliance for the past five years.
Salkicevic is a naturalized citizen, who was born in Bosnia. According to prosecutors, she still has family there and is building a house in her home country.
