ALBANY, NY—On August 20, The United States Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs announced the arrest of Jessica Bowie, 35 of Albany, NY, who was charged with an ISIS-inspired terror plot targeting the New York State Capitol building.
Bowie appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart on August 20 and was detained pending further proceedings. The charge carries a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a lifetime of supervised release.
“The FBI detected and stopped an alleged plot to attack the New York State Capitol and kill elected officials. According to the criminal complaint, the defendant in this case swore allegiance to ISIS and wanted to follow up with additional horrific acts of terrorism. This case is yet another example of how this FBI is built to not only identify threats of terrorism quickly, but to stop their alleged plots before they are able to harm the American people. I want to commend the FBI Albany Field Office, the Justice Department, and our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work in this case. Cooperation and partnership are essential to protecting the U.S. homeland,” stated FBI Operations Director Madd Fodor.
Video was captured of Bowie dressed in all black, including a head covering, purchasing the items necessary to build an explosive device from Home Depot. Investigators learned of Bowie’s intent to conduct the attack(s) before fleeing to Syria to join others in ISIS controlled territories. Investigators observed Bowie making multiple visits to the New York State Capitol grounds, taking photographs of the area. She told authorities about making the NY Capitol building her target.
“I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the Senators while they are meeting. I want them to lose a lot of important documents as well. I want to have an effect on the American system and destroy some of the taghut.”
“Praise be to Allah for September 11th,” Bowie stated in one message on social media. In another, she wrote, “When I can migrate, I will poison these infidels.”
Bowie recorded and disseminated to others online her “Bayah,” or formal oath of allegiance to ISIS. She spoke of doing more, including attacking Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the White House and the President. Bowie converted to Islam approximately five years ago, and began using the name, “Aisha Saif.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the U. S. Secret Service, New York State Police, and Albany Police Department. Trial Attorney Ryan D. White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Joseph Hartunian for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
