US Soldier Pledged To Attack On 9/11 Memorial, Maximize Lethality On Troops – NBC New York

A US soldier faces allegations he has communicated with someone he believed was a member of ISIS to plan attacks on New York City landmarks – including the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan – and provide tactical military advice to terrorists federal officials said Tuesday.

Cole James Bridges, 20, of Stow, Ohio, is charged with attempting material support for terror and attempts to kill US soldiers. He is said to have engaged in those efforts from August 2020 through this month.

Bridges, a private first class with the Third Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia, reportedly spoke in an online forum about seeking to help ISIS attack the 9/11 Memorial and target US soldiers in the Middle East . His contact on the online forum was actually an FBI undercover agent.

Bridges was reportedly radicalized by online videos and offered to provide ISIS military training materials and tactics to “facilitate the efforts of ISIS fighters to repel US Special Forces and kill US soldiers,” the indictment said.

Bridges reportedly began researching and consuming online propaganda to promote jihadists and their ideology in September 2019; he would also have expressed his support for ISIS and jihad on social media around that time, the complaint said.

It wasn’t until October last year that Bridges began communicating with the FBI undercover agent he believed was affiliated with ISIS. During that communication, which was done using an encrypted messaging app, he reportedly expressed his frustration with the US military and his desire to help ISIS take out US soldiers. The indictment alleges that he advised “suspected ISIS fighters” who plan attacks, also because they involved potential targets in New York City. He reportedly offered parts of a US Army training manual and also guidance on military tactics.

On October 16, 2020, Bridges is accused of sending a warning to the alleged ISIS fighter while planning an operation. That message, according to the complaint, stated in part, “They should be extremely careful and not discuss plans over the phone or through messages. Unfortunately I cannot participate. But the only involvement I can do is advice. [stet] and training techniques. . . your brother does
feel free to contact me. “

When asked later that month about the most effective way to carry out an attack, Bridges reportedly replied, “Beat the enemy’s heart and deliver a statement and a clear message to the leaders.”

Later in the exchange, Bridges offered to come to New York to meet with the ISIS fighter he believed he had been in contact with. At the time, the talk turned to potential targets in New York City, officials say.

In mid-November, undercover agent Bridges sent photos of federal, local and foreign government buildings in and around New York City. That officer claimed “everything is so heavily guarded, I don’t know if it’s even possible to have surgery in NYC.”

Bridges reportedly advised the agent to “choose your targets wisely” and inquired about other potential targets being considered. It was not immediately clear which government buildings were the follow-up topic, but Bridges said there was “not enough firepower”. That was when the topic of the 9/11 Memorial was broached, the indictment says.

In December, Bridges began instructing the “ISIS” agent on how ISIS fighters could attack US forces in the Middle East. He is accused, among other things, of diagramming specific military maneuvers and commenting on satellite images to help those fighters maximize the lethality of attacks on US forces. The positioning and armament of ISIS were also discussed.

Bridges also advised on how best to fortify an ISIS encampment against a US attack, including wiring certain buildings with explosives intended to kill US troops, the complaint alleges. This month, he went so far as to allegedly provide a video of himself in body armor in front of an ISIS flag, and in that clip made a symbolic gesture of support for ISIS, according to the indictment.

On Jan. 12, Bridges reportedly sent a second video telling a propaganda speech in support of an expected ISIS attack on US forces using a voice manipulator at the request of the undercover agent, federal officials claim.

Searches for keywords such as “American soldiers shoot” and “badass jihadi” found on his computer via a warrant date to December 25, 2019, according to the complaint. He reportedly updated his Facebook profile and background to reflect his opinion in August. to give. Pictures of the changes are included in the complaint (see below).

Bridges can face up to 20 years in prison for any attempt at material aid and attempt to murder members of the United States military. He is expected to appear in federal court in Georgia on Thursday, officials said.

Attempts to reach a possible attorney for Bridges were unsuccessful as of Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney of Manhattan, Audrey Strauss, accused Bridges of betraying the oath he swore to defend the United States by allegedly attempting to provide ISIS with tactical advice to ambush and ambush fellow servicemen. murder.

“Our troops are risking their lives for our country, but they must never face such a danger at the hands of their own,” said Strauss. “Thanks to the efforts of the JTTF agents and detectives, and our partners in the Department of Defense, Bridges is in custody and charged with federal terrorist charges for his alleged crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director William Sweeney Jr. Bridges also called up for his alleged betrayal, saying he “plotted with someone he believed was an ISIS sympathizer to help ISIS attack and kill US soldiers in the Middle East.”

“Fortunately, the person he communicated with was an FBI employee and we were able to prevent his evil desires from becoming reality,” Sweeney’s statement continued. Bridges could have opted for a life of honorable service, but instead he traded it for the option of a long jail term. This case should serve as a reminder that the FBI’s New York JTTF will never give up on its commitment to protect our country from everyone, those who want to harm. “