A former U.S. Army soldier found himself at the heart of a conspiracy, facing the consequences with a 14-year prison sentence for attempting to support ISIS.
At a Glance
- Cole Bridges attempted to assist ISIS and received a 14-year sentence.
- Bridges plotted attacks on U.S. soldiers in New York City and overseas.
- An undercover FBI agent stopped the plot before execution.
- In addition to prison, Bridges will face 10 years of supervised release.
Sentencing and Charges
Cole Bridges, who also goes by the name Cole Gonzales, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. The former soldier attempted to assist the terrorist group ISIS in orchestrating attacks against U.S. military personnel and civilians in New York City. He was charged with trying to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and attempting to murder U.S. military service members. Bridges pleaded guilty to the charges on June 14, 2023.
After joining the U.S. Army in September 2019, Bridges was assigned to the Third Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. It was during this time he began aligning himself with jihadist ideologies. Utilizing social media, he started supporting ISIS even before entering active duty. In October 2020, Bridges began communicating with someone he believed was helping ISIS, who was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent.
A judge rejected a former U.S. Army soldier's surprise sentencing-day request for a maximum 40-year prison term for trying to help the Islamic State group (also known as ISIS) kill American troops, giving him 14 years behind bars instead. https://t.co/kQXTu3Mmg7
— WTOL 11 (@WTOL11Toledo) October 12, 2024
The Undercover Investigation
Over months of correspondence, Bridges offered tactical guidance and training materials to what he thought were ISIS fighters, including how to fortify their encampments. He proposed potential attack targets in strategic locations, notably New York City, displaying a dangerous level of detail in his planning. The FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command played crucial roles in this investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York alongside the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. U.S. Attorney Damien Williams highlighted their unwavering commitment to prosecute those who threaten national security and U.S. armed forces.
The Broader Implications
Bridges’s activities reached a critical threshold when he sent videos expressing support for ISIS while donning U.S. Army gear. This act underscores the seriousness of his intentions. His arrest and sentencing demonstrate the effectiveness and determination of U.S. law enforcement agencies to prevent such threats. Bridges’s case is a stark reminder of the dangerous ideologies that can exist within individuals who have sworn to protect their nation.
The additional 10 years of supervised release that Bridges received further emphasizes the severity of his crimes. His actions have portrayed a need for continued vigilance among military ranks and further measures to prevent and detect radicalization within the armed forces.
