A former U.S. Army soldier receives a 14-year sentence for supporting ISIS and plotting deadly attacks.
At a Glance
- Cole Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, was sentenced to 14 years for assisting ISIS.
- He plotted attacks on U.S. troops and civilians, believing he was in contact with ISIS.
- An undercover FBI agent posed as an ISIS supporter during the investigation.
- Bridges was caught through online activities and social media posts supporting ISIS.
The Soldier and the Undercover Operation
Cole Bridges, a former U.S. Army soldier, was recently sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of attempting to support ISIS. His arrest stems from his systematic planning of attacks on U.S. troops and New York City civilians while believing he was in contact with a fellow ISIS sympathizer. Instead, he was conversing with an undercover FBI agent in a sting operation designed to expose his intentions.
Bridges, during his communication with the undercover agent, provided tactical military training materials and advised on attack targets. His intentions included a focus on fortifying ISIS encampments and executing ambushes against U.S. service members. This marks a grave breach of duty from a soldier trained to serve and protect the nation’s interests.
From Soldier to ISIS Sympathizer
Bridges joined the U.S. Army in September 2019 and was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. However, even before his enlistment, Bridges had expressed support for ISIS and jihadist ideologies online. This concerning transformation was a red flag, which law enforcement eventually intercepted. In October 2020, Bridges’s communications were intercepted by an undercover agent who confirmed the alarming extent of his radicalization.
Documented reports from the FBI and intelligence agencies underscore the importance of vigilance in monitoring potential threats from within the military ranks. U.S. Attorney Damien Williams emphasized the United States’ strong commitment to bring to justice those who dare to threaten the nation’s armed forces, highlighting the swift and effective work of counterterrorism efforts.
Bridges’s plea deal results in a lengthy sentence coupled with 10 years of supervised release to ensure that he will not be able to contribute further to terrorism activities. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the continuous threat from radical ideologies, even within trusted institutions.
A U.S. soldier was sentenced to more than a decade in prison after admitting to trying to help ISIS plan attacks on New York City landmarks — including the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan. https://t.co/2hjvbfTUd4
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) October 12, 2024
The Law Enforcement Response
The U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command and the FBI played crucial roles in bringing Bridges to justice. His online activities, which included engaging through social media and encrypted communication platforms, were vital components that law enforcement agencies used to build their case. Through meticulous investigative work, they successfully thwarted potential terror attacks orchestrated by someone who had committed to safeguard the very people he now plotted against.
The successful operation reassures the public of the critical coordination among intelligence and security services in maintaining national safety. This collaboration underscores a steadfast commitment to address and eliminate threats posed by internal sympathizers like Bridges.
