Albany Woman Accused Of Plot To Attack New York State Capitol

NEW YORK — A 35-year-old Albany woman was charged Thursday in a plot to attack the New York State Capitol, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.

Jessica Bowie, who the FBI said converted to Islam and pledged her allegiance to ISIS, hoped to place an explosive device disguised as a food delivery package inside the state Capitol building to kill at least 100 people before escaping to Syria, according to the affidavit.

“I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting,” Bowie allegedly wrote to a confidential source of the FBI on July 29. “I want them to lose alot of important documents as well.”

Bowie appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon, where she was formally informed of the felony material support for terrorism charge filed against her by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. At that hearing, Bowie made a brief appearance wearing handcuffs and leg shackles. She did not speak beyond answering routine questions from Judge Daniel Stewart.

The allegations come five months after an alleged ISIS-inspired attack at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City mayor. And news of the foiled plot prompted a reaction from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“I’m grateful to the FBI for leading this investigation and to the New York State Police for their work to apprehend this dangerous individual," she said in a statement. “Earlier this year, amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials, we took steps to strengthen security at the State Capitol and across state government. 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.”

On Aug. 5, after surveilling the Capitol on multiple occasions, Bowie allegedly met with two other confidential sources of the FBI in a car in Albany where she reiterated her desire to attack the Capitol, according to the complaint.

“Maybe we time it where there we know there’s a meeting with the senators, try and get a good enough explosive in there to kill the senators and ideally to destroy as much of the building as possible really because this is, this is the capital … a major political hub for the state,” she allegedly said in remarks that were recorded on video and audio at the time.

Bowie added that, if she were able to pull off the attack and escape, she would return for more large-scale attacks, according to the affidavit, specifically New Year’s Eve in Times Square and “all kinds of good stuff that could be done in the future.” She also allegedly mused about attacking the White House.

The pair of confidential FBI sources then explained how to make an explosive device, drove Bowie to a nearby Home Depot and gave her $200, which she allegedly used to purchase the requisite materials, which included nails, a 9-volt battery, electrical tape and acetone.

“I hope the nails are big enough …” Bowie allegedly said after returning from the store. “Because the nails work as shrapnel, right?”

Bowie met with the pair of confidential FBI sources on two other occasions, at one point dropping off a DoorDash bag in which she allegedly wanted to hide the explosive device. She was told that an ISIS leader in America had been informed of the operation.

On Aug. 13, Bowie allegedly asked the first confidential FBI source to help her obtain a handgun — “preferably strong enough to cause death” — to shoot at any police officers who might respond to an attack.

Six days later, according to the affidavit, Bowie met again with the second and third confidential FBI sources in a car and gave them $150 in exchange for a handgun and ammunition. One of the confidential sources then showed her how to operate the firearm along with an inert explosive device that Bowie was told was assembled with her Home Depot purchases. When asked if Bowie wanted to make a donation to the bombmaker, she allegedly handed over $200 and said she wished she could fund a larger operation.

During that meeting, according to the complaint, Bowie said she would have to quietly kill her roommate if the device was discovered.

After exiting the car in possession of the gun and explosive device, Bowie was arrested by FBI agents.

Security has tightened in Albany’s Capitol complex in the years since the Jan. 6 riot in Washington. The State Police have taken a more visible presence on the days the Legislature convenes and access to some hallways is limited.

However, the Legislative session ended in early June. And state lawmakers are not scheduled to return to the capitol until January.

The public defender assigned to Bowie's case did not immediately respond to a request for comment.