US woman arrested for sending money to friend

However, Oytun Ayse Mihalik, 39, faces three counts of providing material support to terrorists and one count of making a false statement. If convicted of all counts, Mihalik could face up to 53 years in prison.Mihalik sent about $2,000 to a person in Pakistan over a three-week period beginning late last year. The prosecutors claim, without revealing any proof, that she knew the money would be used to prepare for and carry out attacks against the US military and others overseas.Mihalik, who worked as a pharmacist, has been in federal custody since she was arrested in August after she was boarding a flight to Turkey, her native country.She previously pleaded not guilty to the false statement charge.The prosecutors claim Mihalik lied to federal agents during an interview at Los Angeles International Airport following a six-month trip to Turkey by telling them she never used an alias to wire money overseas and she had only sent funds once.She told investigators the money was meant for a family friend who was having financial problems, according to an affidavit.Authorities wouldnt elaborate on why they believe the money Mihalik wired overseas was going to be used for terrorist attacks.However, court documents reveal Mihaliks arrest is related to national security investigations in other areas of the United States. As of August, Mihalik had been cooperating with investigators, records show.The charges are based on the defendants intent to cause harm to US military personnel, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the US attorneys office in Los Angeles.We have not alleged any attacks that may have resulted from the funding because the legal issue is the defendants intent as to what the money would be used for. However, his statement was against all logic until he claims having special, mystic powers to know peoples intent.A trial on the false statement charge was set for February. Mihalik will be arraigned on the new charges at a later date.