New York Woman Arrested for Alleged ISIS-Inspired Attack Plot on State Capitol

A 35-year-old New York woman has been arrested for allegedly plotting an Islamic State-inspired attack on the state Capitol in Albany, with prosecutors accusing her of planning to bomb the building and kill lawmakers. Jessica Bowie, of Albany, was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation. According to the BBC, Bowie had allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group (ISIS) and repeatedly surveilled the Capitol ahead of the planned attack. Bowie allegedly began communicating with undercover FBI agents posing as ISIS facilitators in July. She is accused of telling them she wanted to attack the Capitol and had discussed making explosives. The Washington Post reported that she allegedly wanted to carry out the attack in a way that would allow her to escape by plane.

Prosecutors allege Bowie visited the state Capitol at least five times between July 21 and August 9, taking photographs and studying the building's security. She reportedly chose the Albany Capitol because she believed it would be an easier target than the White House. In one message cited in the criminal complaint, Bowie allegedly said she wanted to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill senators while they were meeting. She also allegedly discussed targeting a day when the largest number of lawmakers would be present.

As part of the sting operation, undercover agents allegedly gave Bowie USD 200 to purchase materials from a Home Depot store. She later handed the materials to the confidential sources, according to the complaint. On Wednesday, agents allegedly provided her with what she believed was an explosive device. The device was inert, and Bowie was arrested after meeting the undercover sources near the Capitol, the Washington Post reported. The FBI said Bowie was also carrying knives and a written oath of allegiance to ISIS when she was arrested. Prosecutors allege she had used social media to post anti-American messages and praise the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Bowie is being held in federal custody and appeared in court after her arrest. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, along with a possible USD 250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said there was no immediate threat to the Capitol. She said security had been strengthened at the state Capitol and across government buildings amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials.