The FBI arrested a 35-year-old woman on Thursday for allegedly plotting an attack against the New York State Capitol building in Albany. According to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI, Jessica Bowie pledged allegiance to ISIS through online communications and began planning the assault in July.
Bowie allegedly discussed her plans with FBI informants and spent several weeks conducting surveillance of the capitol. Her surveillance included taking photographs from various vantage points, including a nearby observation hall, the complaint states.
She reportedly purchased materials for a bomb from a hardware store on August 5. Over the subsequent two weeks, Bowie allegedly collaborated with informants on the plot. On Wednesday, the informants met with Bowie and provided her with an inert explosive device and an inert handgun, along with instructions on how to detonate the explosive, according to the complaint. The FBI arrested Bowie shortly thereafter.