Albany woman charged with plotting to attack New York Capitol in support of Islamic State

On August 19, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, New York, after she allegedly took possession of what she believed was an explosive device that she intended to use in an attack on the New York State Capitol, according to the US Department of Justice. The following day, Bowie was charged with “attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization,” the Islamic State.

“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’s National Security Branch. “The defendant in this case swore allegiance to ISIS [the Islamic State] and wanted to follow up with additional horrific acts of terrorism.”

According to the criminal complaint, Bowie informed multiple people on social media in May 2026 that she had completed bayah, the traditional Islamic oath of allegiance, to the Islamic State. From July 16 through August 19, Bowie allegedly communicated with several FBI sources posing as Islamic State members and met with them in person on multiple occasions.

Bowie allegedly converted to Islam approximately five years ago and later became radicalized online, adopting the kunya, or nom de guerre, “Aisha Saif.”

Investigators reportedly learned that Bowie planned to flee to Syria and join the Islamic State after attacking the New York State Capitol. According to the complaint, however, she also said she would return to the United States to conduct additional attacks if the bombing succeeded.

Bowie lived approximately two miles from the Capitol. The complaint states that investigators observed her visiting the building five times and taking photographs, apparently as part of her preparations for the attack.

In July, she reportedly sent an audio recording to an FBI source in which she pledged allegiance to Islamic State leader Abu Hafs al Hashimi al Qurashi. On August 5, Bowie allegedly met with several FBI sources and said she wanted to bomb the Capitol “on a day when the most amount of senators are there.”

On August 19, Bowie met with the FBI sources and purchased a firearm, a magazine, and ammunition, the complaint states. She was then allegedly shown an inert explosive device purportedly constructed using the same type of material she had recently purchased from Home Depot. After the sources reportedly explained how to detonate the device, Bowie took possession of it and was arrested.

Bowie’s arrest marks the fifth Islamic State-linked terrorism case or incident in the United States this year.

• On June 5, the FBI arrested three American citizens in Kansas City, San Diego, and Sacramento for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to the jihadist organization. The three men allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, discussed attacks through phone calls, Discord chats, and other messaging platforms, and collectively provided more than $2,000 to someone they believed was a member of the group. According to the Justice Department, the money was intended to help purchase rocket-propelled grenades and drones for attacks against American military personnel overseas.
• On June 8, Mohamed Sagha, 22, of Wayne, New Jersey, was charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. Sagha allegedly told an FBI source that he had pledged allegiance to the organization and was considering attacking either a National Guard facility or a Jewish place of worship. He was charged after purchasing a virtual private network and providing it to someone he believed was an Islamic State fighter in Syria.
• On March 7, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi were arrested after allegedly attempting to detonate two explosive devices outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City mayor. The attack occurred during competing demonstrations, including one called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer.” After their arrests, both men reportedly told authorities that they supported or were affiliated with the Islamic State.
• On March 12, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member who had been released from prison after being convicted of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State, attacked an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps class at Old Dominion University. Jalloh reportedly entered the classroom, asked whether those present were affiliated with the US Army, yelled “Allahu Akbar,” and opened fire. He killed the ROTC instructor and wounded two cadets before students subdued and killed him.

The cases underscore the Islamic State’s persistent ability to radicalize individuals, including Americans, online and threaten the US with terrorist attacks.

Will Selber is a retired US CENTCOM foreign area officer with over 4 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the owner of Grumpy Combat Veteran on Substack.