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Shock, sadness after teen’s arrest in terror case

The home of Ana Maria and John Conley is pictured in Arvada, Colo., on Thursday, July 3, 2014, is where their daughter Shannon Maureen Conley, 19, lived until her arrest by the FBI in April. FBI agents tried more than once to discourage Conley, who said she was intent on waging jihad in the Middle East before arresting her in April as she boarded a flight she hoped would ultimately get her to Syria, court documents unsealed Wednesday show.(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski) The home of Ana Maria and John Conley is pictured in Arvada, Colo., on Thursday, July 3, 2014, is where their daughter Shannon Maureen Conley, 19, lived until her arrest by the FBI in April. FBI agents tried more than once to discourage Conley, who said she was intent on waging jihad in the Middle East before arresting her in April as she boarded a flight she hoped would ultimately get her to Syria, court documents unsealed Wednesday show.(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

By Associated Press July 3, 2014 1 min read

ARVADA, Colo. (AP) – People who knew a 19-year-old woman from the Denver suburbs say they’re shocked or simply saddened to learn she was arrested on charges of conspiring to help terrorists.

The FBI says Shannon Maureen Conley converted to Islam and planned to travel overseas to help wage holy war against forces attacking her faith.

Authorities say she planned to marry a man she believed was fighting with an al-Qaida splinter group.

Conley’s lawyer hasn’t returned calls.

Neighbor Bob Taylor says the news of her arrest was unnerving.

Mary Beth Brugler, who met Conley at a Christian church the young woman visited, says she feels sorry for her.

The FBI says Conley was arrested in April while boarding a plane in Denver on the first leg of a journey to Turkey.