ISIS Recruiter 'Umm Nuteella' Faces Up to 70 Years in Prison

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Sinmyah Ceasar, a 29-year-old former New Yorker turned ISIS recruiter, faces a potential 70-year prison sentence after an appeals court deemed her original four-year punishment “shockingly low.” Ceasar, who became infamous under the nickname “Umm Nuteella,” initially received a lenient sentence in 2019 despite pleading guilty to charges of providing material support to ISIS and obstructing justice.  

 

Her original sentencing judge, the late Jack Weinstein, argued that Ceasar needed education and mental health support rather than a lengthy prison term, believing this approach could "save her as a human being." However, her subsequent behavior proved troubling. Released from prison in July 2020 to serve an eight-year supervised release, Ceasar quickly resumed ties with terror affiliates and violated court orders.  

 

Federal prosecutors detailed her consistent defiance, noting that she contacted a known Taliban supporter, solicited money for an ISIS affiliate, and lied about her social media use. In one instance, she even liked a post by a user whose profile prominently displayed the ISIS flag. She also attempted to flee after removing her ankle monitor, heading for Russia before being apprehended at a New Mexico auto body shop in 2021.  

 

Ceasar's troubling activities began long before her initial sentencing. Prosecutors allege she intended to marry Fareed Mumuni, an ISIS supporter serving a 25-year sentence for planning an attack on an FBI agent. Though the union never materialized, her ongoing support for extremist ideologies left little doubt about her intentions.  

 

Prosecutors are now pushing for a sentence of 30 to 70 years, citing her repeated violations of supervised release and refusal to adhere to court orders. “There is simply no other terrorism defendant who compares to the defendant’s history of recidivism,” prosecutors stated in a memorandum, emphasizing the persistent threat Ceasar poses.  

 

The origin of her nickname, “Umm Nuteella,” remains unclear, adding an odd note to a case marked by serious allegations and national security concerns. Meanwhile, Ceasar’s defense team continues to argue that her actions stem from trauma, pointing to her history of childhood abuse and PTSD.  

 

While her re-sentencing was initially scheduled for Thursday, Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto postponed the hearing to February, allowing time for additional legal filings. Whether Ceasar receives the lengthy sentence prosecutors seek remains to be seen, but the appeals court decision has placed her future under intensified judicial scrutiny.  

 

Based on a report by NYP 2024-12-14