Woman Charged Over Alleged ISIS-Inspired Plot to Attack New York State Capitol

Jessica Bowie, screenshot from surveillance video | Jihad Watch

A 35-year-old woman from Albany, New York, has been charged with providing material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) after allegedly planning an attack on the New York State Capitol, according to U.S. federal authorities.

The accused, Jessica Bowie, was arrested on Wednesday by the FBI Albany Joint Terrorism Task Force following an investigation into what officials described as an ISIS-inspired plot. A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York alleges that Bowie sought assistance in learning how to make explosives and expressed support for the terrorist organization.

According to investigators, Bowie converted to Islam around five years ago and was later radicalized through online extremist content. Federal officials say she operated multiple social media accounts under an Islamic honorific name, with several of those accounts reportedly suspended for violating platform policies.

The complaint further alleges that between July 16 and August 17, Bowie communicated with a confidential FBI source who posed as an ISIS facilitator. During those conversations, she allegedly discussed carrying out an attack on the New York State Capitol, located less than two miles from her residence, and said she wanted to harm what she described as the “enemies of God.”

FBI officials also stated that Bowie recorded multiple audio messages pledging allegiance to ISIS in both English and Arabic. Authorities claim she additionally praised the September 11 terrorist attacks in one of her online communications.

Investigators allege that Bowie viewed the State Capitol as an attainable target, while saying her preferred target would have been the White House and the U.S. President, though she believed such an attack would be more difficult. Officials further claim she spoke about fleeing the country after the attack and later returning to carry out additional attacks, including possible targets in Times Square and Washington, D.C.

When asked by the undercover source whether civilian casualties—including Muslims, children, or pregnant women—would concern her, Bowie allegedly acknowledged that it would trouble her but said she hoped Allah would forgive her, according to the criminal complaint.

The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Bowie will be tested in court. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)