Woman Charged with Attempted Material Support for ISIS After Alleged Capitol Bomb Plot
Federal prosecutors say a 35-year-old woman sought FBI assistance to plan an ISIS-inspired bombing of the New York State Capitol and is charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Federal authorities announced Thursday that Jessica Bowie, 35, has been indicted on a single count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charge stems from a criminal complaint alleging that Bowie, who converted to Islam five years ago, contacted an FBI informant posing as an ISIS facilitator between July 16 and August 17 and requested guidance on making explosives for an attack on the New York State Capitol in Albany.
According to the complaint, Bowie created multiple social-media accounts under an Islamic honorific after earlier accounts were repeatedly suspended for violating platform policies. Between May and July, the accounts allegedly transmitted messages expressing support for terrorism. Bowie is reported to have told the informant she wanted to “harm the enemies of god” and planned to target the capitol, which is located less than two miles from her residence.
Prosecutors say Bowie intended to flee after the attack and, if she evaded capture, to return for additional plots. She is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York on Thursday afternoon.
"We are taking swift action to protect the public and to disrupt any attempts to support extremist violence," a federal spokesperson said at a press conference held at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.