FBI thwarts an alleged ISIS-inspired plot to bomb New York Capitol
A woman has been charged with providing support to a terror group after allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on the New York State Capitol building in Albany, federal officials said Thursday.
Jessica Bowie, 35, allegedly told a confidential source that she supported ISIS and asked for help learning to make explosives, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Bowie is expected in court Thursday afternoon in connection to a single charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terror organization.
Federal and state officials announced a press conference to address the case for 3 p.m. E.T.
According to the complaint, Bowie converted to Islam five years ago and made several social media accounts using an honorific Islamic name. It appeared that Bowie created so many multiple accounts because they were “frequently suspended by providers for violating their terms of use,” the complaint said.
Several accounts tracing back to Bowie allegedly sent messages expressing support for terrorism between May and July. The complaint alleges that Bowie communicated with a confidential source with the FBI who posed as an ISIS facilitator between July 16 through August 17.
She told the confidential source that she wanted help to carry out an attack targeting her state capitol, according to the complaint. The building was less than two miles away from her and she wanted to do something to “harm the enemies of god,” the complaint said.
Bowie hoped to be able to escape following the planned attack and if successful in evading authorities, she planned to return for future plots, the complaint said.
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