The US Justice Department announced on Thursday morning that Virginia resident Brian Cole, 30, has been detained for planting two pipe bombs in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021, during the Capitol riots.
What is known about Cole’s arrest, as shown here.
Brian Cole, who is he?
According to the Justice Department, Cole resides in Prince William County in Virginia.
West of Washington, DC, Prince William County is located 36 miles away.
In northern Virginia, Cole works in the office of a bail bondsman, according to an FBI affidavit from December 3. A bail bondsman, also known as a bond agent, is a person or business that guarantees a defendant’s willingness to appear in court hearings after being released from jail.
Cole, along with his mother and “other family members,” reside in a single-family home in Woodbridge. He is described as wearing corrective eyeglasses and standing at 168 cm.
What is Cole facing?
In interstate commerce, Cole is accused of moving IEDs (also known as moving goods between states) with the intent to kill, hurt, or intimidate any person, or otherwise unlawfully to damage, destroy, or damage any building, vehicle, or other real or personal property.
Additionally, Cole is accused of attempting to use explosives and fire to cause malicious harm.
A pipe bomb is what?
Any homemade or custom-made bomb that has been developed and used outside of conventional military production is a type of IED.
A plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is typically packed with a dangerous substance, typically a powder or a chemical, with each end secured with a cap or plug. Typically, pipe bombs have a remote trigger, timer, or fuse.
What is said to have happened to Cole?
US law enforcement on January 6, 2021, received a notification that an IED might have been placed close to the Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, DC, around 1 p.m. (18:00 GMT).
A second IED was discovered a few blocks away from the RNC’s headquarters in Washington, DC, about 15 minutes later.
Both IEDs were pipe bombs made of red and black 14-gauge electrical wires connected by alligator clips to a nine-volt battery and connector, as well as paper clips, homemade black powder, and steel wool.
The RNC and DNC are state-wide political party organizations that raise money for their respective political parties across the country.
Both bombs were deactivated before they detonated by USCP members in the Hazardous Devices Section.
Are we aware of Cole’s motivation?
No. The motive behind Cole’s actions has not yet been revealed by authorities.
How was Cole found out?
The same person who was wearing a mask to conceal his face was responsible for the two bombs, according to surveillance footage from the nearby streets. He has now been identified as Cole.
The FBI determined that the suspect was about 5 feet, 7 inches (170cm) tall based on the video footage in January 2021.
The FBI offered a $500, 000 reward for information about the suspect after it released the surveillance footage online in March 2021. In the years that followed, the agency received countless tips.
In the course of its years-long investigation, the FBI claimed to have received tens of tip tips about him.
Around the time the bombs were planted, the FBI then compared Cole’s cellphone records to those in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Additionally, they provided additional information about where he had made the purchases and linked him to those made through bank and credit card data from 2019 and 2020.
“We do not forget, give up, or give in,” he said. Our team continued to churn through large amounts of data and tips that we used to identify this suspect, even though it had been nearly five years, according to FBI deputy assistant director Darren Cox.
What happened on January 6, 2021?
In an effort to prevent the 2020 election results from being certified, thousands of people marched on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. They were fueled by false accusations that Democratic candidate Joe Biden had won the previous November presidential election.
More than 2, 000 rioters smashed windows, damaged furniture and equipment, stole items, and forced their way inside the Capitol building.
At least five people died as a result of the violence, including police officers.
More than 950 people were detained in connection with the riot, and some of them were charged with seditious conspiracy, a rare but serious offence.
Prison sentences for dozens of people were typically three to seven years in prison.
However, some far-right extremists received longer prison terms, lasting between 15 and 22 years.
Trump signed a presidential proclamation pardoning or commuting sentences for 1,500 defendants in January 2025, shortly before his second term as president.
These people have been destroyed, he said at the time. They have done something outrageous to these people. In our nation’s history, it has hardly ever been like it.
What follows?
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that additional charges may be brought against Cole in connection with the investigation into the riots that occurred on January 6.
He will appear in court in Washington, DC, for a hearing later this week, according to local media.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply