Federal prosecutors say Jessica Bowie planned an explosive attack on state lawmakers before fleeing to territory controlled by ISIS in Syria.
ALBANY, NY — A 35-year-old Albany woman has been charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS after federal authorities said they stopped an alleged plot to attack the New York State Capitol and kill elected officials.
Jessica Bowie made her initial appearance in federal court Thursday, Aug. 20, one day after FBI agents arrested her as she took possession of what she believed was an explosive device, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors allege Bowie intended to target the Capitol and New York state senators. She is charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charge is an accusation, and Bowie is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
A criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of New York describes an investigation that unfolded from July 16 through Aug. 19. According to the complaint, Bowie communicated with an FBI confidential source who was posing as an ISIS facilitator. Prosecutors say she expressed support for ISIS, asked for help with an attack and later identified the Capitol as her intended target. Federal officials said investigators intervened before an explosive capable of carrying out the alleged attack was placed at the building.
The complaint alleges Bowie repeatedly visited the Capitol grounds and photographed the building while considering how an attack could affect state government. Authorities said she made several visits between late July and early August. In messages cited by investigators, Bowie allegedly said she wanted to destroy as much of the Capitol as possible and target senators while they were meeting. The government also alleges she hoped to leave the United States afterward and travel to Syria to join people in territory she believed was controlled by ISIS.
Federal investigators say Bowie’s communications included an oath of allegiance to ISIS and statements supporting the terrorist organization. The complaint also alleges that she used social media to spread extremist messages and that some of her accounts had previously been blocked. Prosecutors say the FBI investigation eventually involved additional confidential sources who met with Bowie while agents monitored and recorded parts of the alleged plot. Authorities have not said that Bowie had direct contact with an actual ISIS operative.
Investigators allege Bowie obtained money from a confidential source and used it to buy materials she believed would be used to make an explosive. The sources later showed her an inert device, according to court records. Prosecutors also allege she sought a firearm in connection with the planned attack. Federal officials said the weapon and explosive device involved in the final undercover meeting were rendered inoperable and were controlled by law enforcement, limiting the danger to the public during the operation.
Bowie was arrested Aug. 19 after leaving a meeting with the confidential sources, according to the complaint. The FBI said agents recovered the inert device and firearm and took her into custody. The Justice Department said the investigation was led by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Police, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and Albany police. Prosecutors from the Justice Department’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York are handling the case.
Craig L. Tremaroli, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Albany Field Office, said the alleged plan was serious and that the Joint Terrorism Task Force stopped it before it could be carried out. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said prosecutors allege Bowie intended to kill public officials and cause extensive damage to the Capitol. The federal government has not alleged that any lawmaker or member of the public was injured during the investigation.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul thanked federal and state law enforcement agencies for disrupting the alleged plot. She said New York had taken steps earlier in the year to strengthen security at the Capitol and other state government facilities amid concerns about political violence and threats against public officials. Hochul said there was no immediate threat following Bowie’s arrest and that state authorities would continue coordinating with federal and local law enforcement.
Bowie appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart on Aug. 20 and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. If convicted, the material-support charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and the possibility of lifetime supervised release. No conviction has been entered, and the allegations in the criminal complaint have not been proven at trial.
The investigation remains active as the federal case moves forward. Authorities have not announced evidence that the alleged plot created an ongoing threat to the Capitol after Bowie’s arrest, and officials have said law enforcement disrupted the plan before it could be carried out.
Author note: Last updated August 21, 2026.