Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, New York, faces federal charges for allegedly plotting to bomb the New York State Capitol to assassinate senators in support of ISIS. The FBI arrested Bowie after undercover agents assisted her in obtaining materials for a nail bomb, which she intended to use to “destroy as much of the building as possible” while lawmakers were in session.
FBI Sting Operation and Home Depot Purchase
According to court documents, FBI agents provided Bowie with $200 (£147) to purchase bomb-making supplies from a local hardware store. Agents drove her to a Home Depot, where she bought nails and other materials. Upon leaving the store, Bowie allegedly remarked, “I hope the nails are big enough… because the nails work as shrapnel, right?” to the undercover agents.
Prosecutors stated that Bowie made multiple visits to the New York State Capitol grounds, taking photographs of the building. She was arrested on Wednesday, and authorities allege she planned to carry out the attack and then flee to Syria to live in ISIS-controlled territories.
Targeting the Capitol and Senators
Describing the New York State Capitol as her target, Bowie allegedly stated, “I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting.” She also expressed a desire to “destroy some of the taghut [those against Allah]” and to “have an affect on the American system.”
On a social media account, Bowie expressed anti-American sentiment, including “Praise be to Allah for September 11” and “When I can migrate, I will poison these infidels.” She also recorded and disseminated a formal oath of allegiance to ISIS, known as a “Bayah,” to others online.
Conversion to Islam and Alleged Intent
Bowie allegedly told undercover agents that she converted to Islam five years ago, transitioning from “a little girl waving an American flag after 9/11” to possessing stickers of the falling towers. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg stated, “As alleged, Bowie plotted to deploy an explosive device at the New York State Capitol, intending to kill public officials and to destroy ‘as much of the building as possible’ before fleeing to ISIS-controlled territory in Syria.”
FBI Operations Director Matt Fodor commented, “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.”
