Albany Capitol Attack Plot Thwarted as Woman Faces Federal Terrorism Charge

Federal complaint alleges plans to target Capitol, lawmakers and staff

ALBANY, N.Y. — Federal authorities said Thursday they stopped an alleged ISIS-inspired plot to bomb the New York State Capitol in Albany, arresting a 35-year-old city resident accused of planning to kill state senators, Capitol staff and others inside the building.

Jessica Bowie was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of New York with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, according to federal prosecutors. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if she is convicted.

Investigators allege Bowie developed the plan between July 16 and Aug. 17, 2026, and repeatedly monitored the Capitol before seeking materials for an improvised explosive device. The FBI said undercover personnel and confidential sources were used during the investigation, which ended with Bowie's arrest this week.

Authorities say surveillance and recorded meetings documented alleged plan

The affidavit alleges that Bowie visited or surveilled the State Capitol on five occasions, with security cameras recording the trips. Prosecutors said she communicated with an FBI source who was posing as an ISIS-associated contact and separately told another source that she was receiving help to organize what she called a “major attack.”

In messages cited in the complaint, Bowie allegedly said she wanted to cause extensive damage to the building and kill senators while they were in session. Authorities said she also expressed a desire for the attack to affect the American political system and indicated that a small number of casualties would not meet her objective.

Federal officials allege Bowie planned to carry an explosive device into the Capitol in a DoorDash delivery bag. The complaint says she hoped to kill at least 100 people and discussed killing her roommate if the roommate learned of the alleged operation.

Investigators also included a photograph they said showed Bowie at a Home Depot in nearby Rensselaer purchasing nails and other items allegedly intended for a makeshift bomb. According to the affidavit, FBI sources gave her $200 for those supplies as part of the undercover operation.

Arrest followed alleged weapons purchase and donation

Authorities said Bowie met in person with two confidential sources, who recorded the conversations. During one meeting, the complaint alleges, she discussed possible future attacks, including a potential attempt against the White House that she considered too difficult at that time. Prosecutors said she focused instead on ensuring that senators were killed and said she wanted to target a substantial portion of Capitol staff.

The complaint further alleges that Bowie sought a gun so she could fire at police if confronted during the operation. This week, authorities said, she gave FBI sources $150 toward a firearm and $200 as a donation to the purported bombmaker. She was arrested after leaving a source's vehicle, investigators said.

At the time of her arrest, Bowie allegedly had a firearm, magazine, ammunition and a purported explosive device in bags she brought to the meeting. The FBI also said agents recovered knives and a handwritten bayah, or oath of allegiance. The affidavit alleges she converted to Islam about five years ago, pledged allegiance to ISIS in May and posted online content praising the Sept. 11 attacks.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone called the allegations “deeply disturbing,” saying an attack on the Capitol and elected officials would amount to an attack on democracy. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli said investigators believe Bowie intended to leave the country after the alleged attack and later return to target Times Square on a future New Year's Eve.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said there was “no immediate threat at this time” and credited federal and state law enforcement for intervening. She noted that New York had strengthened security around the Capitol and state government facilities amid rising threats and political violence against public officials. Bowie remains charged by complaint, and the federal investigation is ongoing.