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Plot Thwarted in Albany
Federal authorities arrested Jessica Bowie, 35, in Albany after the FBI said she was plotting to attack the New York State Capitol building and state senators using an explosive device.
“"Ms. Bowe's alleged plot was serious, it was dangerous and thanks to the partnerships of the FBI's joint terrorism task force, it was foiled"”
The FBI alleged in a criminal complaint that Bowie pledged allegiance to ISIS in online communications and began planning the attack in July, and ABC News reported that she allegedly bought bomb materials from a hardware store on Aug. 5.
Craig L. Tremaroli, the special agent in charge of the FBI Albany Field Office, said at a news conference Thursday, "Ms. Bowe's alleged plot was serious, it was dangerous and thanks to the partnerships of the FBI's joint terrorism task force, it was foiled," as the investigation continued.
CBS News reported that federal prosecutors in the Northern District of New York charged Bowie with attempting to provide material support for foreign terrorist organizations, and that if convicted she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
NBC News said Bowie was arrested Wednesday by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Albany, and that she was expected in court Thursday afternoon on a single charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Prosecutors Cite Hatred
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone said the allegations were "deeply disturbing" and described the alleged plot as targeting "the New York State Capitol and New York state senators," which he said was "an attack on democracy itself, and one we will not tolerate."
Sarcone also alleged Bowie was radicalized online and "spread messages of hate and violence against the American people," while CNN reported that Bowie had pledged allegiance to ISIS through multiple audio recordings and conducted surveillance at the Capitol at least five times.
CNN said Bowie told officials she wanted "to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting," citing the criminal complaint.
NBC News reported that Bowie communicated with a confidential source posing as an ISIS facilitator from July 16 through Aug. 17 and that she asked for help learning to carry out an attack on the New York Capitol.
In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said, "While there is no immediate threat at this time, we will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe," as the FBI and prosecutors pursued the case.
Sentencing and Security Focus
The charge Bowie faces is attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and multiple outlets reported the statutory maximum as 20 years in prison.
“Bowie appeared in court Thursday and was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources”
ABC News reported that Bowie appeared in court Thursday and was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, while NBC News said she was expected in court Thursday afternoon on a single charge.
CBS News said the FBI used undercover police work to catch and arrest her, and it reported that Bowie plotted between July 16 and Aug. 17 to attack the New York State Capitol building using explosives.
NBC News reported that the investigation involved the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Albany and that Gov. Kathy Hochul thanked the FBI and local law enforcement for their work, while CNN said Hochul described steps taken earlier in the year "amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials."
As the case moved forward, the criminal complaint described Bowie’s alleged intent to disrupt government and her alleged plans beyond Albany, including a future attack on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, according to NBC News and CBS News.