JUST IN: FBI Foils Terror Plot At State Capitol

Federal authorities arrested a 35-year-old woman from the Albany area on Wednesday in connection with an alleged plot to attack the New York State Capitol building.

The suspect, identified by the FBI as Jessica Bowie, faces one charge, of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Prosecutors are expected to outline the full criminal case during a press conference on Thursday afternoon involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Secret Service, the Albany County Sheriff’s Department, and the Albany Police Department. Bowie is also expected to appear in court on Thursday afternoon.

According to the criminal complaint, Bowie, who is American and lived in the Albany area, converted to Islam approximately five years ago and began using the name Aisha Saif. Investigators linked several social media accounts to her. Those accounts, which were frequently suspended for violating terms of service, allegedly contained messages expressing support for terrorism between May and July.

One message sent on May 28 stated, “Praise be to Allah for September 11th.” On May 8, another message stated, “When I can migrate, I will poison these infidels.”

The complaint states that Bowie communicated with a confidential source working with the FBI who posed as an ISIS facilitator. Those communications occurred between July 16 and August 17. Bowie allegedly told the source that she supported ISIS, had taken “bayah,” a formal oath of allegiance, with a handful of people, and requested assistance learning to make explosives.

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BREAKING: The FBI says it disrupted an alleged ISIS-inspired terror plot targeting the New York State Capitol.

Authorities say a New York woman allegedly sought to bomb the state Capitol and pledged allegiance to ISIS before federal investigators intervened.@johnrobertsFox has… pic.twitter.com/oIF7eSMu3y

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 20, 2026

She described the New York State Capitol as “less then two miles” from her location and stated she wanted “to do something to benifit (sic) the ummah and hann the enemies of god.” In one exchange she said, “I would like to… target my state capitol But ideally in a way I could get away with and hope on a plane after… But idk (I don’t know) if it’s doable.”

On July 29, according to the complaint, Bowie wrote that she wanted “to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting.” She also discussed destroying “important documents as well” and contemplated disguising a bomb inside a DoorDash bag.

The complaint further alleges that she conducted surveillance of the Capitol on approximately five occasions between July 21 and August 9, taking photographs from various vantage points, including an “observation hall nearby,” and sending dozens of images to the confidential source.

On August 5, Bowie allegedly purchased materials that could be used to construct an explosive device, including nails, electrical tape, a 9-volt battery, and acetone, from a hardware store. She used $200 provided by the confidential source for the purchase. After the transaction she reportedly said, “I hope the nails are big enough … because the nails work as shrapnel, right?” She continued discussing the plot with the sources over the following two weeks.

On Wednesday, the confidential sources met with Bowie and provided her with an inert explosive device and an inert handgun, along with instructions on how to detonate the explosive. She was arrested by the FBI shortly afterward. The complaint notes that the confidential source is known to the FBI, has a history of providing credible and reliable information, is paid for assistance in investigations, and uses FBI-approved devices to capture and record content.

The single charge against Bowie is attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The complaint does not indicate whether she has retained counsel, and additional information is expected to be provided during Thursday’s press conference.

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