A 35-year-old Albany woman has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group after allegedly planning an attack on the New York State Capitol, federal authorities announced Thursday, according to NBC News.
Jessica Bowie was arrested Wednesday by the FBI Albany Joint Terrorism Task Force. Prosecutors allege she expressed support for ISIS, sought assistance in making explosives and discussed targeting lawmakers inside the Capitol.
According to a federal criminal complaint, Bowie converted to Islam about five years ago and became radicalized online. She allegedly operated multiple social media accounts that expressed support for terrorism and swore allegiance to ISIS in audio recordings.
FBI Albany Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli said Bowie once posted, “Praise be to Allah for September 11," and said investigators began examining her activities more than a month ago.
The complaint alleges that between July 16 and August 17, Bowie communicated with an FBI confidential source posing as an ISIS facilitator. She allegedly asked for assistance in carrying out an attack against the Capitol, which is less than two miles from her home.
Investigators said Bowie visited the building five times between July 21 and August 9 and was observed photographing the area. She allegedly told the source she wanted to “harm the enemies of god" and have an “affect on the American system."
In one message cited in the complaint, Bowie allegedly wrote: “I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting."
During a recorded meeting earlier this month, Bowie allegedly discussed attacking the Capitol when the largest number of senators were present. Prosecutors also allege that she planned to flee afterward and potentially return to the United States to carry out additional attacks.
“Miss Bowie didn’t just want to kill lawmakers; she wanted a complete disruption of our government. And after that, she planned to flee the country and one day come back to ‘do more,’ such as New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Even stating she would come back to attack the White House and the president," Tremaroli said.
When asked why she chose the state Capitol, Bowie allegedly replied, “Ideally it would be the White House with the president, but like, that’s an even harder job."
The complaint says Bowie also acknowledged concerns about Muslims, children and pregnant women potentially being among those killed, while saying she hoped Allah would forgive her.
An FBI source allegedly provided Bowie with $200 to obtain materials that could be used to make a bomb. She reportedly purchased the items at Home Depot on August 5 before handing them over to confidential sources.
John A. Sarcone, first assistant US attorney for the Northern District of New York, said the case demonstrates the authorities' determination to disrupt potential attacks.
“I want the American people to know this: today’s announcement will have a chilling effect on anyone in this country who is being radicalized or considering acts of violence, and on our enemies whose governments support death to America," Sarcone said. “We are vigilant, we are prepared, and just as we stop this defendant, we will continue to disrupt plots and protect the American people."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul thanked the FBI and New York State Police for their work, saying the state had already strengthened security around the Capitol and other government facilities amid concerns over political violence and threats against officials.
“Earlier this year, amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials, we took steps to strengthen security at the State Capitol and across state government," she said. “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."
Bowie faces a single federal charge carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to lifetime supervised release.