A 35-year-old Albany woman is facing a federal terrorism charge after authorities accused her of planning an Islamic terrorist attack on the New York State Capitol.
According to the federal allegations reported by CBN News, Jessica Bowie was accused of planning to bomb the Capitol because she believed state laws were being passed that offended Islam. A U.S. attorney described the alleged plan as an attack on democracy itself.
FBI Says It Stopped an Alleged Capitol Plot
The FBI said Bowie had been under surveillance for more than a month and was caught in a sting operation involving at least one confidential informant posing as an ISIS facilitator.
“The FBI detected and stopped an alleged plot to attack the New York State Capitol and kill elected officials,” said Matt Fodor, operations director of the FBI National Security Branch, according to CBN News. “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.”
CBN News reported that federal affidavit materials included images described as showing Bowie conducting reconnaissance at the Capitol and purchasing items at a hardware store that authorities identified as bomb-making ingredients, including long nails allegedly intended for shrapnel.
Posts Praising 9/11 Cited by Authorities
Authorities said Bowie converted to Islam around five years ago and began expressing support for terrorism in online posts starting in May, according to the report.
The FBI said one account identified as belonging to Bowie posted, “Praise be to Allah for September 11th” and “When I can migrate, I will poison these infidels.”
Federal authorities also alleged Bowie arranged to buy a firearm and ammunition so she could shoot at police or security personnel if needed.
FBI Official: Alleged Goal Was Government Disruption
Craig L. Tremaroli, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Albany Field Office, said the alleged plan went beyond targeting individual lawmakers.
“Ms. Bowie did not just plan to kill lawmakers; she wanted a complete disruption of our government,” Tremaroli said, according to CBN News.
