Cole James Bridges, a US Army private soldier who is stationed in Fort Stewart, is accused of trying to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to assassinate US military personnel.
The Ohio native reportedly spoke to an undercover FBI agent when he thought he was planning an ISIS-inspired attack on the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
He was also accused of planning to attack other American soldiers.
“As alleged, Cole Bridges betrayed the oath he swore to defend the United States by trying to provide ISIS with tactical military advice to ambush and kill his military colleagues,” said US Attorney Audrey Strauss in Manhattan. “Our troops risk their lives for our country, but they should never face such danger at the hands of one of their own. Today, thanks to the efforts of JTTF agents and detectives, and our Defense Department partners, Bridges is in custody and faces federal terrorism charges for his alleged crimes. “
Assistant FBI director William F. Sweeney Jr. said it was fortunate that the person he communicated with was an FBI employee.
“We were able to prevent his evil wishes from becoming a reality,” said Sweeney. “Bridges could have chosen a life of honorable service, but instead he traded it for the possibility of a long prison sentence. This case should serve as a reminder that the FBI’s New York JTTF will never give up on its commitment to protect our nation of all those who seek to harm you. “
He will be presented in court on Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, which was filed on Tuesday in the federal court in Manhattan, Bridges joined the U.S. Army in approximately September 2019, and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the Fort-based 3rd Infantry Division. Stewart, Georgia.
Beginning at least 2019, Bridges reportedly began researching and consuming online advertising promoting jihadists and their violent ideology. He also reportedly expressed his support for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”) and jihad on social media.
The criminal complaint said around October 2020, Bridges started communicating with a secret FBI official (the “OCE”), who pretended to be an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. During these communications, Bridges expressed his frustration with the US military and his desire to help ISIS.
Bridges then reportedly provided training and guidance to alleged ISIS fighters who were planning attacks, including advice on potential targets in New York City, such as the 9/11 Memorial, and also provided the OCE with parts of a training manual for the US Army and guidance on military combat tactics, for use by ISIS.
Around December 2020, Bridges began to provide the OCE with instructions for alleged ISIS fighters on how to attack US forces in the Middle East, according to the criminal complaint.
Among other things, Bridges reportedly planned specific military maneuvers designed to help ISIS fighters maximize the lethality of attacks on American troops.
Bridges allegedly advised on the best way to fortify an ISIS camp to repel a U.S. Special Forces attack, including installing explosives in certain buildings to kill American troops.
Then, in January 2021, the criminal complaint said that Bridges provided the OCE with a video of himself in body armor standing in front of a flag often used by ISIS fighters and making a symbolic gesture in support of ISIS. About a week later, Bridges reportedly sent a second video, in which he used a voice manipulator, narrated an advertising speech in support of ISIS ‘early ambush against American troops.
He is charged with denouncing an attempt to provide material support to ISIS, in violation of 18 USC 2339B, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and (2) attempted murder of members of the US military, in violation of 18 USC 1114, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Legal penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence of the defendant would be determined by the judge.
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