New York Capitol plot: US charges woman with IS support

US authorities charged Jessica Bowie, 35, with a terrorism offense Thursday after prosecutors alleged she supported the Islamic State group and discussed blowing up the New York State Capitol buildings.

Bowie was charged with attempting to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations, according to court filings. The New York State Capitol is in Albany and contains both houses of the state legislature.

The criminal complaint alleges that Bowie became a vocal online supporter of the Islamic State group, posted anti-American messages and discussed with an FBI informant how to manufacture explosives.

Prosecutors allege Bowie said she wanted to observe security measures near the Capitol and wrote that she wanted to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill senators while they were meeting.

The complaint says she discussed posing as a food delivery driver to access the building, planting a bomb and fleeing to Syria. It also alleges she suggested she could return to the United States to attack other high-profile targets, including Times Square, if she escaped successfully.

FBI agents arrested Bowie on August 19 after she allegedly acquired a DoorDash bag and bomb components, including nails to be used as shrapnel. She was due to appear in court Thursday.