ALBANY, N.Y. — The FBI said it used undercover agents to investigate and arrest Bowie. Court documents allege Bowie plotted between July 16 and August 17 to attack the New York State Capitol building using explosives. "Bowie had plotted to use an explosive device to attack the New York State Capitol and the New York state senators," First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone said.

According to the criminal complaint, Bowie communicated with an FBI source posing as an ISIS infiltrator. In one message to an FBI source, Bowie allegedly wrote that she wanted "to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting.. I want them to lose alot [sic] of important documents as well." Bowie also told another source she was receiving help to plan "a major attack." "We definitely want to make sure the senators get killed for sure," Bowie is alleged to have said.

The affidavit says Bowie wanted to take out half of the staff at the Capitol. Investigators say Bowie hoped to kill at least 100 people in the attack. "She continued, as referenced in the complaint, 'I don't wanna take this risk and kill what, two or three people, what good is that?'" said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli.

The affidavit alleges Bowie surveilled the New York State Capitol building on five different occasions, which were captured on security cameras. Bowie allegedly visited the Capitol five times between July 21 and August 9. The criminal complaint includes an image of Bowie at a Rensselaer Home Depot buying nails and other supplies for a makeshift bomb.

Bowie allegedly purchased bomb-making materials on August 5 at a Home Depot. FBI sources gave Bowie $200 to purchase bomb-making materials. Investigators say Bowie planned to bring the explosive device into the Capitol in a DoorDash delivery bag. The criminal complaint says Bowie told FBI sources she wanted a gun "so if the cops do get towards me during the operation I can shoot back." Investigators say Bowie gave FBI sources $150 for a gun and a $200 donation to the bombmaker. Bowie allegedly met in person with two other confidential sources who recorded the meeting. The affidavit says Bowie allegedly said attacking the White House would be too difficult and she would revisit that at a later date. Bowie allegedly said she would murder her roommate if her roommate found out about the plot. Bowie allegedly asked an FBI source if it would bother her if other people, including Muslims, died in the attack, and responded that it would bother her but hoped Allah would forgive her.

When Bowie left the source's vehicle, she was arrested and allegedly in possession of a firearm, magazine, ammunition, a purported explosive device, knives, and a handwritten bayah. After being arrested, Bowie allegedly admitted she knew she was going to jail. "There's no helping me," Bowie allegedly told FBI Albany agents.

Bowie was arraigned Thursday before Magistrate Judge Daniel Stewart and ordered detained pending trial. If convicted, Bowie faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The charge against Bowie carries a lifetime term of supervised release.

The affidavit alleges Bowie converted to Islam five years ago. The affidavit alleges Bowie formally made an oath of allegiance to ISIS in May of this year. Bowie allegedly recorded audio messages in English and Arabic pledging allegiance to the head of ISIS.

Bowie allegedly posted online "praise be to Allah for September 11th." Bowie allegedly created several social media accounts using an honorific Islamic name, which were frequently suspended for violating terms of use. Sarcone alleged Bowie was radicalized online and "spread messages of hate and violence against the American people." The FBI said Bowie planned to flee the country after the attack but eventually wanted to come back and attack Times Square on a New Year's Eve in the future. Bowie allegedly said she planned to flee to IS-controlled territory in Syria after the attack.

"Miss Bowie’s alleged plot was serious. It was dangerous, and thanks to the partnerships on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, it was foiled," Craig Tremaroli said. "She told a source she went from a little girl waving an American flag after 9/11 to now having stickers of the falling towers," Tremaroli said.

"I want the American people to know this: today’s announcement will have a chilling effect on anyone in this country who is being radicalized or considering acts of violence, and on our enemies whose governments support death to America," Sarcone said. "We are vigilant, we are prepared, and just as we stop this defendant, we will continue to disrupt plots and protect the American people," Sarcone said. "Today, the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI announced the arrest of an individual who allegedly plotted an attack on the New York State Capitol. I'm grateful to the FBI for leading this investigation and to the New York State Police for their work to apprehend this dangerous individual," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "Earlier this year, amid a rise in political violence and threats against public officials, we took steps to strengthen security at the State Capitol and across state government," 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," Hochul said. "This is just the latest example of this FBI stopping an alleged terrorist in their tracks - in 2026 we've already disrupted 400+ such attacks at home and around the world. For any individual who may be considering harming Americans in the future: know that we will find you," FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media.

Why It Matters

The arrest shows ongoing federal efforts to disrupt domestic terrorism plots targeting government institutions. The New York State Capitol is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York. Hochul is the 57th governor of the state of New York since 2021. The charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries severe penalties, including a potential 20-year prison term and a lifetime of supervised release.

What's New

Additional reporting provides further detail on the investigation and official responses. "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," Gov. Hochul said. "I want the American people to know this: today’s announcement will have a chilling effect on anyone in this country who is being radicalized or considering acts of violence, and on our enemies whose governments support death to America," John Sarcone said. "We are vigilant, we are prepared, and just as we stop this defendant, we will continue to disrupt plots and protect the American people," John Sarcone said. "Miss Bowie’s alleged plot was serious. Jessica Bowie allegedly visited the Capitol five times between July 21 and August 9. Jessica Bowie allegedly said she wanted to attack the Capitol on a day when the most senators would be present. Jessica Bowie allegedly purchased bomb-making materials on August 5 at a Home Depot. Jessica Bowie allegedly said she planned to flee to IS-controlled territory in Syria after the attack.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on specific details regarding the target and planning. Regarding the state capitol and Jessica Bowie, Jessica Bowie allegedly wrote to an FBI source, "I would like to [target] state capitol," while the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York criminal complaint states that court documents allege Jessica Bowie plotted between July 16 and August 17 to attack the New York State Capitol building using explosives. Regarding the Capitol and Jessica Bowie allegedly, Jessica Bowie allegedly wrote to an FBI source, "I would like to [target] state capitol," while the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York criminal complaint states that Jessica Bowie allegedly visited the Capitol five times between July 21 and August 9. Regarding the York State Capitol building, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York criminal complaint states that court documents allege Jessica Bowie plotted between July 16 and August 17 to attack the New York State Capitol building using explosives, while Wikidata notes that the New York State Capitol is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York.