Federal Agents Crack Pipe Bomb Case After Years of Investigation
A 30-year-old Virginia man, identified as Brian J. Cole Jr., has been arrested by the FBI in connection with two pipe bombs discovered near the US Capitol complex on January 6, 2021. Authorities have stated that Cole evaded capture for nearly five years after the discovery of the explosive devices planted near the Republican and Democratic national committees' headquarters.
Cole's arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the case, which had been shrouded in controversy due to concerns over the FBI's handling of it. Senior Trump administration officials have hailed the arrest as a vindication of their leadership, claiming that the investigation only advanced once they took charge.
The FBI alleges that Cole continued purchasing components used in bomb-making after his bombs were discovered, including a white kitchen timer and galvanized pipes from Home Depot. Agents say that surveillance footage, historical cell-site data, and purchase records linked Cole to the devices.
Cole is charged with transporting an explosive device across state lines with the intent to kill or injure, as well as attempting to damage and destroy property by means of an explosive device. If convicted, he faces decades in prison.
The investigation into the pipe bombs revealed that they were built from threaded metal pipe, a kitchen timer, and homemade black powder. While it is unclear whether the devices would have detonated without intervention, experts say that they were "viable" and could have been lethal.
Cole's arrest comes as far-right media outlets had previously identified him as a former Capitol Police officer based on an analysis of his walking style. However, these claims were later dismissed by the FBI as "grossly inaccurate."
A 30-year-old Virginia man, identified as Brian J. Cole Jr., has been arrested by the FBI in connection with two pipe bombs discovered near the US Capitol complex on January 6, 2021. Authorities have stated that Cole evaded capture for nearly five years after the discovery of the explosive devices planted near the Republican and Democratic national committees' headquarters.
Cole's arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the case, which had been shrouded in controversy due to concerns over the FBI's handling of it. Senior Trump administration officials have hailed the arrest as a vindication of their leadership, claiming that the investigation only advanced once they took charge.
The FBI alleges that Cole continued purchasing components used in bomb-making after his bombs were discovered, including a white kitchen timer and galvanized pipes from Home Depot. Agents say that surveillance footage, historical cell-site data, and purchase records linked Cole to the devices.
Cole is charged with transporting an explosive device across state lines with the intent to kill or injure, as well as attempting to damage and destroy property by means of an explosive device. If convicted, he faces decades in prison.
The investigation into the pipe bombs revealed that they were built from threaded metal pipe, a kitchen timer, and homemade black powder. While it is unclear whether the devices would have detonated without intervention, experts say that they were "viable" and could have been lethal.
Cole's arrest comes as far-right media outlets had previously identified him as a former Capitol Police officer based on an analysis of his walking style. However, these claims were later dismissed by the FBI as "grossly inaccurate."