US News
Upstate New York woman charged in alleged ISIS-inspired plot to bomb state Capitol
Federal authorities arrested Jessica Bowie after she allegedly coordinated with FBI confidential sources to obtain inert weapons and bomb materials.
The short version
- Federal prosecutors charged 35-year-old Jessica Bowie with attempting to provide material support to ISIS after an alleged plot to bomb the New York State Capitol.
- Investigators allege Bowie scouted the Capitol multiple times and planned to disguise an explosive in a food delivery bag to target state lawmakers.
- Bowie was arrested on August 19 after taking possession of an inert firearm and a dummy explosive provided by undercover FBI informants.
- Bowie remains in custody facing federal terrorism charges, and public comment has been sought from her defense counsel.
Key facts
- Jessica Bowie of upstate New York was arrested on August 19 and charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.[Fox News · Fox News]
- According to court documents, Bowie pledged allegiance to ISIS online and communicated with FBI confidential sources whom she believed were operatives of the group.[Fox News · Fox News]
- Authorities allege Bowie scouted the New York State Capitol roughly five times between July and August to assess security and plan an attack targeting senators.[Fox News · Fox News]
- On August 5, Bowie allegedly bought bomb-making supplies, including a container of nails intended for shrapnel, at a Home Depot in Rensselaer, New York, using funds supplied by an FBI source.[Fox News · Fox News]
- Federal agents arrested Bowie after she paid FBI sources for what she believed were an operable handgun and an assembled bomb, which were both inert.[Fox News · Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Bowie's public defender has not yet provided public comment regarding the allegations.[Fox News]