DC pipe bomb suspect Brian J. Cole Jr pleads not guilty in federal case
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The man accused of planting a pipe bomb outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties five years ago pleaded not guilty at a hearing on Friday.
Brian J. Cole, Jr. was arrested by the FBI at his home in Virginia in early December and faces two charges of transporting and attempting to use explosives.
The suspect was indicted on federal charges this week, FOX 5 reported.
He allegedly admitted to planting bombs that failed to explode in downtown Washington, DC, on the eve of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
Feds say man accused of planting D.C. pipe bomb admitted to targeting both parties
Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows the suspected D.C. pipe bomber walking near the DNC on January 5, 2021, along with a photo of accused suspect Brian Cole Jr., who was ordered held while awaiting trial. (Ministry of Justice)
Although he initially denied his involvement to investigators, he allegedly eventually admitted to planting the bombs when he was reminded that lying was an additional crime after being shown a surveillance video purportedly of him at the scene, according to the Justice Department.
“According to the defendant, he wasn’t really thinking about how people would react when the bombs went off, but he was hoping there would be news about it,” court documents said. he said, adding that he said he was “relieved” when he heard the bombs didn’t explode, court documents state.
Sketch of Brian Cole Jr.’s first federal court appearance in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5. Cole is the prime suspect in the D.C. pipe bombing. (Dana Verkouteren)
As for the reason, Cole said that after “watching everything, things broke, everything got worse” after the 2020 election, and that he wanted to do something to the “parties” because “they are responsible.”
IDENTIFICATION OF DC PIPE BOMB SUSPECT IN BRIAN COLE JR
The suspect is seen outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters just before planting one of two pipe bombs found near party offices in Washington, DC. (FBI)
“Ultimately, it was luck, not lack of effort, that the defendant was unable to detonate one or both of his devices and that no one was killed or maimed as a result of his actions,” court documents said. It was said. “In fact, the defendant admitted to setting both devices to detonate 60 minutes after they were placed. His failure to achieve his objectives does not mitigate the extremely dangerous nature of his crimes.”
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Prosecutors said Cole continued to purchase bomb-making materials after the failed attack on Jan. 5.
He faces 10 years in prison on the single charge and 20 years in prison if convicted on the second charge.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
