Cole James Bridges, a private US military first class stationed at Fort Stewart, is accused of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and to assassinate US military personnel.
The Ohio resident reportedly spoke to an undercover FBI agent when he thought he was planning an ISIS-inspired attack against the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
He was also charged with plans to attack fellow American soldiers.
“As alleged, Cole Bridges betrayed the oath he swore to defend the United States by attempting to provide ISIS with tactical military advice to ambush and kill his fellow service employees,” said Manhattan Attorney Audrey Strauss. . “Our troops risk their lives for our country, but they must never face such a danger at the hands of their own. Thanks to the efforts of the JTTF agents and detectives and our partners from the Department of Defense, Bridges is in custody and charged with federal terrorism for his alleged crimes. “
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said it was fortunate that the person he communicated with was an FBI employee.
“We were able to keep his evil desires from becoming a reality,” Sweeney said. Bridges could have opted for a life of honorable service, but instead he traded it for the option of a lengthy prison term. to protect our nation from all those who try to do evil. “
He will be taken to court on Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, unveiled in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Bridges joined the United States military around September 2019 and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the 3rd Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Georgia.
As of at least 2019, Bridges reportedly began researching and using online propaganda promoting jihadists and their violent ideology. He is also said to have expressed support for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”) and the jihad on social media.
According to the criminal complaint, Bridges began communicating in or around October 2020 with an online FBI secretary (the “OCE”), posing as an IS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. During this communication, Bridges expressed his frustration with the US military and his desire to help ISIS.
Bridges then reportedly provided training and guidance to suspected ISIS fighters planning attacks, including advice on possible targets in New York City, such as the 9/11 Memorial, and also provided the OCE with parts of a U.S. military training manual and guidance. on military combat tactics, for use by ISIS.
In or around December 2020, Bridges began giving the OCE instructions to the alleged ISIS fighters on how to attack US forces in the Middle East, the indictment said.
Among other things, Bridges would have mapped specific military maneuvers designed to help ISIS fighters maximize the lethality of attacks on US forces.
Bridges is said to have advised on the best way to fortify an ISIS encampment to repel an attack from US Special Forces, including wiring certain buildings with explosives to kill US forces.
Then, in January 2021, the criminal complaint said that Bridges provided the OCE with a video of herself in body armor standing in front of a flag often used by ISIS fighters and making a gesture symbolic of support for ISIS. About a week later, Bridges reportedly sent a second video, using a voice manipulator and narrating a propaganda speech in support of ISIS’s expected ambush on US forces.
He is accused in the complaint of attempting 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 United States military service in violation of 18 USC 1114, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
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