Video shows new glimpse of Queens terror suspect

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Prosecutors say Noelle Velentzas, who goes by the name Amtu Shahid, is a clear example of what's become an alarming trend: so-called self-radicalized sympathizers of ISIS, here at home.

But for the first time we're seeing and hearing Velentzas talk, on video, and she sure doesn't seem radical.

"My name is Noelle Amtu Shahid and I am from the United States of America," Velentzas said in the video.

Investigators believe this is the face of terror. Noelle Velentzas, a 28-year-old Queens mother speaking in an online video about the homeless shelter who gave her a helping hand.

"It was a turning point in my life," Velentzas said.

But prosecutors say she was plotting to attack her own country along with her friend Asia Siddiqui. Both of them are American citizens.

Both of them, ABC News has learned, were part of a secret social media terror pipeline for American Muslim women.

"Women are recruiting women. And once it's clear someone is a potential recruit it goes on to more private communication channels," said Jessica Stern, the co-author of "ISIS: The State of Terror".

Those channels erupted with messages after the arrests last week, referring to Velentzas as "Sis".

One wrote, "Hey, did you hear Sis got picked up by the Kufar..." meaning infidels.

"Not her", was the reply.

"Uh huh... delete her from your phone." The message said.

Prosecutors say the two women took inspiration from the recent police funerals of NYPD Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, thinking future funerals would make good targets for so-called pressure cooker bombs, similar to the ones used in the Boston Marathon attack.

"There were no signs of someone being a radical," their Imam said.

Their imam insists they are innocent.

"My observation of the family for the last five years has been impeccable when it comes to character," he said.

Velentzas and Siddiqui are just the latest in a disturbing trend of American citizens inspired by ISIS and other radical groups.

The Justice Department is right now prosecuting more than 30 similar cases nationwide.

If convicted both women face life in prison.