Woman accused of ISIS plot to bomb New York State Capitol
A New York woman has been accused of plotting to bomb the New York State Capitol and kill lawmakers in an ISIS-inspired attack, according to federal prosecutors. She was arrested after taking possession of what she believed was an explosive device.
The arrest happened on Wednesday after Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, met with FBI confidential sources whom she believed were ISIS associates. She appeared before a federal magistrate on Thursday on a charge of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and was ordered detained.
According to the criminal complaint, Bowie began communicating in July with an FBI confidential source who was posing as an ISIS facilitator. She allegedly said she had pledged allegiance to ISIS and wanted help making explosives for an attack on the State Capitol in Albany before fleeing overseas to join ISIS members.
Investigators said Bowie made at least five visits to the Capitol grounds, taking photographs of the building and surrounding area while discussing the attack with the source. She allegedly hoped to carry out the bombing on a day when lawmakers were meeting.
“I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting,” Bowie allegedly wrote. “I want them to lose a lot of important documents as well.”
The complaint alleges that Bowie later met with two additional confidential sources whom she believed were ISIS associates, purchased materials she thought would be used to build an explosive device, and provided food-delivery bags that could be used to conceal it.
On Wednesday, Bowie allegedly paid one of the sources for what she believed was a handgun, ammunition and a magazine before being shown an explosive device. The firearm and explosive device were inert, according to the complaint.
FBI agents arrested Bowie after she left the meeting carrying both items.
“Ms. Bowie swore her allegiance to ISIS and developed a detailed plan to attack the New York State Capitol to kill lawmakers and disrupt our government,” said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albany Field Office. “Make no mistake about it, Ms. Bowie’s alleged plot was serious, it was dangerous, and thanks to FBI Albany’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), it was foiled.”
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The post Woman accused of ISIS plot to bomb New York State Capitol appeared first on BNO News.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
