Albany Woman Charged with ISIS-Inspired Plot to Bomb New York State Capitol
Jessica Bowie, 35, faces a federal charge of attempting to provide material support to ISIS after allegedly planning to detonate an explosive at the Capitol to kill state senators.
Albany2 min read
Last updated
Federal authorities charged Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, New York, on 20 August 2026 with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State after she allegedly plotted to bomb the New York State Capitol.
According to the criminal complaint, Bowie communicated with FBI confidential informants posing as ISIS facilitators. She stated she wanted to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill senators while they were meeting. She also expressed a desire to damage important documents and affect the American system.
Bowie conducted surveillance of the Capitol grounds on at least five occasions between late July and early August. She purchased a large plastic bin filled with nails and other materials from a Home Depot on 5 August after receiving $200 from an informant. Investigators said she intended to pose as a food delivery worker to bring the device inside the building.
Bowie converted to Islam approximately five years earlier, adopted the name Aisha Saif, and had posted material supporting ISIS online. One account linked to her praised the September 11 attacks. She told informants she planned to flee to ISIS-controlled territory in Syria after the attack and later considered further operations, including on New Year's Eve in Times Square.
She was arrested on 19 August as she took possession of what she believed was an explosive device. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Bowie made her initial appearance in the US District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the case demonstrated that Bowie intended both to kill public officials and to join ISIS abroad. The investigation began after agents identified online accounts expressing support for terrorism in May 2026.
The New York State Legislature has been out of session since June, but Bowie had discussed timing the attack for a day when the largest number of senators would be present. Authorities described the plot as a classic lone-wolf case of online radicalisation.
No other individuals have been charged in connection with the plan. The Capitol complex remains under heightened security following the arrest.
