Albany Woman Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS, Plotting Capitol Attack

Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, New York, made her initial appearance in federal court on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bowie plotted to deploy an explosive device at the New York State Capitol, intending to kill public officials and destroy "as much of the building as possible" before fleeing to ISIS-controlled territory in Syria.

On August 19, Bowie was apprehended by law enforcement as she gained possession of what she believed to be an explosive device, according to the Justice Department. The investigation involved multiple federal and state agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, New York State Police, and Albany Police Department.

According to NBC News, Bowie converted to Islam five years ago and became radicalized online. She created several social media accounts using an Islamic honorific name, and multiple accounts were "frequently suspended by providers for violating their terms of use." NBC News reports she swore her allegiance to ISIS in multiple audio recordings in English and Arabic. In statements on an account identified as belonging to Bowie, per the Justice Department, she wrote "Praise be to Allah for September 11th" and "When I can migrate, I will poison these infidels."

From July 16 through August 17, according to NBC News, Bowie communicated with a confidential source working with the FBI and posing as an ISIS facilitator. She visited the Capitol five times from July 21 to August 9, with surveillance teams observing her photographing the area, NBC News reports. The New York State Capitol building was less than 2 miles from Bowie's home.

In describing her target to the confidential source, Bowie stated, per the Justice Department: "I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting. I want them to lose a lot of important documents as well" and "I want it to have a affect on the American system. And destroy some of the taghut." According to NBC News, she said she wanted to attack on a day when the most senators would be present and hoped to escape, planning to return for future plots if she evaded authorities.

Bowie also discussed broader targets, according to NBC News. When asked why she chose the state Capitol, she responded: "Ideally it would be the White House with the president, but like, that's an even harder job." NBC News reports she considered attacking New Year's Eve in Times Square and wanted to come back to attack the White House and the president. According to NBC News, when asked whether it would bother her if other people, including Muslims, died in the attack, Bowie said "I'd say it definitely bothers me, and I know I'm going to hear about the things after, what's going to bother me, especially if there's a Muslim, if there's children, pregnant women," and expressed hope that Allah would forgive her.

According to NBC News, a confidential source gave Bowie $200 to purchase bomb-making materials, which she allegedly obtained on August 5 at a Home Depot. She then gave the items to confidential sources when she met with them in the following days. NBC News reports Bowie asked one of the sources last week about obtaining a handgun, saying she wanted the weapon "so if the cops do get towards me during the operation I can shoot back." She met with confidential sources to buy a gun and ammunition on Wednesday, per NBC News.

The Justice Department states the charge carries a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release. Trial Attorney Ryan D. White of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Joseph Hartunian for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement, per NBC News, that she is "grateful" to the FBI and the New York State Police. She noted that earlier in the year, amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials, steps were taken to strengthen security at the State Capitol and across state government. Hochul stated "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."

The charges against Bowie are allegations; guilt is not established. Bowie has not entered a plea or made a public defense statement as of the reporting date.