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FBI Foils ISIS-Inspired Plot to Bomb New York State Capitol
🇨🇦 Canada /Crime & Justice

FBI Foils ISIS-Inspired Plot to Bomb New York State Capitol

From Global News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • An Albany woman, Jessica Bowie, faces a federal terrorism charge for allegedly plotting to bomb the New York state Capitol.
  • Authorities claim Bowie, inspired by ISIS, sought to kill lawmakers and disrupt government, with the plot foiled weeks before the 9/11 anniversary.
  • Investigators monitored Bowie for over a month as she communicated with informants, planned the attack, and acquired bomb-making materials.

An alleged plot to bomb the New York state Capitol building, with the aim of killing lawmakers, has been thwarted, and an Albany woman is now facing a federal terrorism charge. Jessica Bowie, 35, was arrested Wednesday, accused of planning the attack as an affront to Islam, according to authorities.

Federal authorities revealed that Bowie had been under surveillance for more than a month. During this period, she communicated with at least one confidential informant posing as an ISIS facilitator. Investigators stated that the attack was foiled just weeks before the anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks.

The allegations in this complaint are deeply disturbing. That’s an attack on democracy itself and one we will not tolerate.

— John SarconeFirst assistant US attorney for the Northern District of New York, commenting on the charges against Jessica Bowie.

Court documents detail Bowie's conversion to Islam approximately five years ago. FBI counterterrorism agents reportedly began monitoring online accounts linked to Bowie around May, noting expressions of support for terrorism. By mid-July, agents became aware of her intention to attack the state Capitol. The affidavit outlines her requests for bomb-making instructions from informants, multiple trips to the Capitol grounds for reconnaissance, and efforts to scope out security measures.

Investigators presented evidence including pictures of Bowie conducting reconnaissance at the Capitol and purchasing bomb-making ingredients, such as nails for shrapnel, at a hardware store. She also allegedly arranged to buy a firearm and ammunition, intending to use it against police or security if necessary. Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated that Bowie not only planned to kill lawmakers but also sought a "complete disruption of our government." She reportedly intended to flee the country after the attack and had considered other targets, including Albany City Hall and potentially the White House or Times Square for future attacks.

Ms. Bowie did not just plan to kill lawmakers, she wanted a complete disruption of our government.

— Craig L. TremaroliSpecial agent in charge of the FBI’s Albany Field Office, describing the scope of the alleged plot.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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