A woman has been charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS after allegedly planning a bombing attack on the New York State Capitol.
The FBI announced on Thursday that Jessica Bowie, a 35-year-old resident of Albany, New York, has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State militant group, commonly referred to as ISIS. Bowie faces a single charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, following an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Bowie was taken into custody on Wednesday in Albany, and she is expected to appear in court later today. According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, Bowie expressed support for ISIS and solicited assistance in learning how to create explosives.
Details of the Alleged Plot
The complaint details that Bowie, who converted to Islam five years ago, became increasingly radicalized through online platforms. She allegedly created multiple social media accounts under an Islamic honorific name, many of which were suspended for violating terms of service due to their content. From May to July of this year, several accounts purportedly associated with Bowie posted messages endorsing terrorism.
During the course of the investigation, Bowie allegedly swore allegiance to ISIS in audio recordings made in both English and Arabic. In one recorded message, she expressed a disturbing sentiment regarding the September 11 attacks, stating, ‘Praise be to Allah for September 11,’ according to Craig Tremaroli, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Albany field office.
From July 16 to August 17, Bowie communicated with a confidential informant who was posing as an ISIS facilitator. During these interactions, she indicated her desire to execute an attack on the New York State Capitol, located less than two miles from her residence. The complaint notes that she wished to ‘harm the enemies of God’ and expressed a desire to ‘destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting.’
Surveillance and Planning
The FBI monitored Bowie’s movements, revealing that she visited the Capitol five times between July 21 and August 9, during which she allegedly photographed the area. She reportedly conveyed to the informant that she wanted to strike on a day when the maximum number of senators would be present.
In one alarming statement, Bowie allegedly mentioned, ‘Miss Bowie didn’t just want to kill lawmakers; she wanted a complete disruption of our government.’ Furthermore, she expressed intentions to flee the country after the attack and indicated plans to execute future plots, including potential attacks on New Year’s Eve in Times Square and the White House.
When questioned about her targets, Bowie reportedly noted, ‘Ideally it would be the White House with the president, but like, that’s an even harder job.’ The complaint also details her conflicting feelings about civilian casualties, where she acknowledged potential harm to others, including Muslims, expressing concern over the aftermath but ultimately hoping for forgiveness from Allah.
Acquisition of Materials
As the investigation progressed, one of the confidential informants allegedly provided Bowie with $200 to purchase bomb-making materials. Surveillance footage shows that she bought these materials at a Home Depot on August 5 and later handed them over to the informants in subsequent meetings. Additionally, Bowie is accused of inquiring about purchasing a handgun to defend herself during the anticipated operation.
The complaint indicates that she met with the informants again on Wednesday to finalize plans for the acquisition of a firearm and ammunition.
Reactions and Implications
The investigation into Bowie began over a month ago, with U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone emphasizing the case’s significance. ‘Today’s announcement will have a chilling effect on anyone in this country who is being radicalized or considering acts of violence,’ Sarcone stated, affirming the commitment of law enforcement to disrupt such plots and protect the American public.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also issued a statement expressing gratitude to the FBI and state police for their efforts. She noted the state’s proactive measures to enhance security at the Capitol and reassured citizens that, while there is no immediate threat, the government remains vigilant in safeguarding public safety.
The charge against Bowie carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a potential fine of up to $250,000, and a lifetime of supervised release following any prison sentence.
