The FBI announced that Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, NY, faces charges connected to a plot to attack the New York State Capitol.
“As alleged, Bowie plotted to deploy an explosive device at the New York State Capitol, intending to kill public officials and to destroy ‘as much of the building as possible’ before fleeing to ISIS‑controlled territory in Syria,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division and our law-enforcement partners are committed to the painstaking work of preventing plots like this from succeeding and securing convictions against those who attempt such plots.”
Bowie faces one count of violating 18 U.S.C. 2339B(a)(1) – Attempting to Provide Material Support or Resources to Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
According to the criminal complaint, Bowie converted to Islam five years ago and goes by Aisha Saif.
FBI Special Agent Joshua Parker, in the affidavit in support of a criminal complaint, wrote that between May 2026 and July 2026, several social media accounts with messages that support terrorism were traced back to Bowie.
An FBI confidential human source (CHS-1) posed “as an ISIS facilitator” while communicating with Bowie between July 16, 2026, and August 17, 2026, on a messaging platform.
“Over the course of the next two weeks, Bowie discussed with CHS-1 her plans to attack the New York State Capitol building in Albany,” stated Parker.
Bowie also sent CHS-1 pictures she took of the building, saying she walked around it five times. This action is known as reconnaissance, which people who plan terrorist attacks often perform before the attack.
“I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting,” Bowie told the CHS-1 when asked about the type of destruction she wanted to inflict. “I want them to lose alot [sp] of important documents as well.”
Bowie added: “I want it to have a[n] affect on the American system and destroy some of the taghut.”
Parker explained that taghut “means anything worshipped, followed, or obeyed instead of Allah.”
The CHS-1 hooked Bowie with two other confidential human sources (CHS-2 and CHS-3). She met with them, who videotaped and audio-recorded the meetings.
They then discussed purchasing items to build the devices. Bowie directed the two sources to the nearest Home Depot. CHS-2 gave Bowie $200 to buy “nails, electrical tape, a 9-volt battery, and acetone.”
Video captured Bowie purchasing the items needed, “including a large plastic bin full of nails.”
It all came to an end on August 19, 2026, when Bowie again met with CHS-2 and CHS-3 in a car. Bowie received a supposed explosive device meant to blow up the building, along with firearms.
Bowie left the car with the “firearm, magazine, and ammunition” and “the inert explosive device.”
The FBI arrested her right there.
“The FBI detected and stopped an alleged plot to attack the New York State Capitol and kill elected officials,” said Operations Director Matt Fodor of the FBI National Security Branch. “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. This case is yet another example of how this FBI is built to not only identify threats of terrorism quickly, but to stop their alleged plots before they are able to harm the American people. I want to commend the FBI Albany Field Office, the Justice Department, and our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work in this case. Cooperation and partnership are essential to protecting the U.S. homeland.”
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