Woman charged in ISIS-inspired terror plot to detonate explosive device at New York State Capitol, feds say

By Carolyn Sung, Lila Dominus, CNN

(CNN) – A 35-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a plot to use an explosive device to attack the New York State Capitol and state senators, officials said Thursday.

Jessica Bowie, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS, was arrested by FBI agents Wednesday after buying what she believed to be an explosive device and stating “her desire to carry out an attack at the New York State Capitol,” said Craig Tremaroli, FBI special agent in charge of the Albany field office.

She has been charged with one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, ISIS, said John Sarcone, the First Assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of New York.

Bowie swore her allegiance to ISIS through multiple audio recordings and conducted surveillance at the Capitol at least five times, taking dozens of photos, Tremaroli said.

She allegedly “arranged to have an explosive device made out to carry this attack, even purchasing several of the required materials herself,” said Tremaroli.

CNN has reached out to Bowie’s attorney for comment.

Bowie had said she wanted “to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting,” according to Tremaroli, who cited the criminal complaint.

New York state senators had adjourned for a recess in June.

Woman was radicalized online, officials say

On Wednesday, Bowie bought a gun from a “confidential human source,” saying she intended to use a firearm “on any law enforcement officer who tried to stop her,” Tremaroli said.

“When asked to make a donation to the purported bomb maker, she provided another $200,” Tremaroli said. “She left that meeting with both items.”

Bowie had allegedly planned to “flee the country” and eventually return to “do more, such as New Year’s Eve in Times Square,” Tremaroli said. Bowie also allegedly stated that she “would come back to attack the White House and the president, but only after she bombed the state capital.”

Bowie was radicalized online and “spread messages of hate and violence against the American people,” Sarcone said.

Bowie said that “she went from a little girl waving an American flag after 9/11, to now having stickers of the fallen towers,” according to the complaint.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said steps were taken to strengthen security at the State Capitol earlier this year “amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials.”

“While there is no immediate threat at this time, we will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe,” Hochul said in a statement on X.

The charge against Bowie carries a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a lifetime term of supervised release, according to Sarcone.

“Miss Bowie’s alleged plot was serious. It was dangerous, and thanks to the partnerships on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, it was foiled,” Tremaroli said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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