ISIS-Linked Albany Woman Charged In Alleged Bomb Plot On New York State Capitol
Jessica Bowie, 35, was arrested and charged in Albany with plotting to bomb the New York State Capitol and kill state senators, prosecutors say.[1]
Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of New York filed a criminal complaint charging Bowie with attempting to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.[1] Prosecutors say she plotted between July 16 and August 17, 2026, and surveilled the State Capitol on five occasions.[1] The affidavit says she communicated with an FBI confidential source she believed was an ISIS infiltrator, writing that she wanted "to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators." CBS News
Prosecutors say Bowie converted to Islam about five years ago, swore a bayah to ISIS in May 2026 and praised the Sept. 11 attacks on social media.[1] They say she discussed disguising herself as a food delivery driver to carry a bomb and bought items at a Home Depot.[1] Investigators say she donated $200 to a purported bomb maker and was arrested as she left the man's vehicle.[1] Agents found a bag with a firearm, a magazine, ammunition, knives, a purported explosive device and a handwritten bayah.[1]
After her arrest Bowie told FBI Albany agents, "There's no helping me." CBS News Gov. Kathy Hochul thanked the FBI and New York State Police for apprehending "this dangerous individual" and said there was "no immediate threat at this time." CBS News
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📌 Key Facts
- Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of New York filed a criminal complaint charging 35-year-old Albany resident Jessica Bowie with attempting to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.
- The complaint alleges Bowie plotted between July 16 and August 17, 2026, to attack the New York State Capitol building in Albany using explosives, specifically aiming to kill New York state senators during a meeting and destroy important documents.
- The affidavit says Bowie allegedly surveilled the State Capitol on five occasions captured by security cameras and communicated with an FBI confidential source she believed to be an ISIS infiltrator, writing she wanted "to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting."
- Prosecutors allege Bowie discussed disguising herself as a food delivery driver carrying a bomb, said attacking the White House would be too difficult "for now," and indicated she wanted to carry out additional attacks in the future.
- The bayah affidavit says Bowie converted to Islam about five years ago, formally swore an oath of allegiance to ISIS in May 2026, and praised the 9/11 attacks on social media.
- Investigators allege Bowie went to a Home Depot near her home to buy items needed to build an explosive device, gave $200 to a purported bomb maker, and when agents arrested her they found a firearm, a magazine, ammunition, knives, a purported explosive device, and a handwritten bayah in the bag she carried.
- After her arrest, Bowie allegedly told FBI Albany agents, "There's no helping me," and acknowledged she knew she was going to jail.
- On August 20, 2026, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statement thanking the FBI and New York State Police for apprehending "this dangerous individual," noting earlier steps to strengthen security at the State Capitol and saying there is "no immediate threat at this time."
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of New York filed a criminal complaint charging 35-year-old Albany resident Jessica Bowie with attempting to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations in connection with the alleged plot.
- The complaint alleges Bowie plotted between July 16 and August 17, 2026, to attack the New York State Capitol building in Albany using explosives, specifically aiming to kill New York state senators during a meeting and destroy important documents.
- According to the affidavit, Bowie allegedly surveilled the State Capitol on five occasions captured by security cameras and communicated with an FBI confidential source she believed to be an ISIS infiltrator, writing that she wanted "to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting."
- Prosecutors allege Bowie discussed disguising herself as a food delivery driver carrying a bomb, said attacking the White House would be too difficult "for now," and indicated she wanted to carry out additional attacks in the future.
- The affidavit says Bowie converted to Islam about five years ago, formally swore an oath of allegiance (bayah) to ISIS in May 2026, praised the 9/11 attacks on social media, and told a source she had gone from "a little girl waving an American flag after 9/11" to having stickers of the falling towers.
- Investigators allege Bowie went to a Home Depot near her home and bought items needed to build an explosive device, then gave $200 to a purported bomb maker as a donation; when she left the source's vehicle, agents arrested her and found a firearm, a magazine, ammunition, knives, a purported explosive device, and a handwritten bayah in the bag she carried.
- After her arrest, Bowie allegedly told FBI Albany agents, "There's no helping me," and acknowledged she knew she was going to jail.
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statement on August 20, 2026, saying she was grateful to the FBI and New York State Police for apprehending "this dangerous individual," noted earlier steps to strengthen security at the State Capitol, and said there is "no immediate threat at this time."