'I want to destroy.' Woman charged for allegedly plotting ISIS-inspired attack on NY capitol
According to the criminal complaint, Jessica Bowie, 35, allegedly disclosed information about her plot to FBI informants, who she conspired with to build the explosive.
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An Albany woman is accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on the New York State Capitol, according to federal officials.
Jessica Bowie, 35, allegedly intended to use an explosive device in the attack and stated, in part, "I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting." According to the criminal complaint, Bowie planned to hide the device inside a DoorDash bag.
Bowie first disclosed information about her plot to one FBI informant, who posed as an ISIS facilitator. The pair started communicating on an encrypted messaging platform around July 16, where she eventually disclosed her desire to plot a "major attack."
The initial informant introduced Bowie to two additional informants who also helped fuel her plot, according to the complaint. Bowie met them in person on Aug. 5 and 6.
During one of those meetings, Bowie told the informants that she understood the risks of the plot and said she "would rather die than go to prison."
Prosecutors say Bowie allegedly planned to flee to Syria after the attack, to live in ISIS-controlled territories.
According to the complaint, Bowie and an informant discussed how they would acquire the necessary items to build the device, and the informant then handed over $200 for Bowie to use at a Home Depot in Rensselaer. The FBI and DOJ provided a photo of Bowie allegedly purchasing these materials.
Bowie was also pictured taking photographs of the Capitol building, which she allegedly walked around five separate times between July 21 and Aug. 9.
The complaint stated that Bowie gave an informant $150 and asked them to buy a "handgun and bullets powerful but easy enough to conceal so if the cops do get towards me during the operation I can shoot back and if so how much will it cost."
Prosecutors say the final meeting between Bowie and the informants took place on Thursday. During the meeting, which took place inside a car, the informants gave Bowie the inert device along with instructions on how to detonate it. They also provided an inert gun, one magazine and ammunition and showed her how to load the weapon.
When Bowie exited the car, FBI agents took her into custody - while she was allegedly carrying the inert device and firearm.
During an interview following her arrest, Bowie allegedly stated, "There's no helping me, I'm... going to prison for the rest of my life."
Investigators discovered that Bowie converted to Islam about five years ago and previously posted anti-American messages online, including "Praise be to Allah for September 11th” and “When I can migrate, I will poison these infidels.”
“The FBI detected and stopped an alleged plot to attack the New York State Capitol and kill elected officials. According to the criminal complaint, the defendant in this case swore allegiance to ISIS and wanted to follow up with additional horrific acts of terrorism," said Operations Director Matt Fodor of the FBI National Security Branch.
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statement that read in part, “While there is no immediate threat at this time, we will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude for the federal and state law enforcement response in a post on X.
