Foiling ISIS Plot to Blow Up New York Capitol and Kill Lawmakers
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday the thwarting of a terrorist plot by a self-proclaimed supporter of the Islamic State (ISIS) group, which targeted the bombing of the New York State Capitol building and the killing of elected officials, following the arrest of a 35-year-old woman and the filing of charges against her for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Matt Fodor, the Assistant Director for Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence at the FBI’s National Security Branch, stated that the bureau identified and disrupted an alleged plot to attack the New York State Capitol and kill elected officials. He noted that the suspect, Jessica Boy, had pledged allegiance to ISIS.
According to the Department of Justice, Boy planned to use a bomb at the Capitol building with the aim of killing officials and causing maximum damage to the structure before fleeing to ISIS-controlled areas in Syria.
Investigations revealed that the suspect visited the vicinity of the Capitol building multiple times, taking photographs as part of reconnaissance operations, and recorded and posted online her official pledge of allegiance to ISIS.
Case documents indicate that Boy stated she wanted to destroy as much of the building as possible, kill members of the Senate while they were in session, damage important documents, and disrupt the U.S. system.
Authorities arrested Boy on Wednesday while she was receiving what she believed to be an explosive device intended for use in targeting the New York State Capitol building and members of the state Senate.
The Associated Press reported that the suspect had been under surveillance for more than a month, communicating with undercover agents whom she believed were intermediaries for ISIS. She also conducted reconnaissance around the Capitol and gathered materials related to bomb-making.
The FBI led the investigation into the case, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, the New York State Police, and the Albany Police Department.
