WASHINGTON, D.C.—A federal criminal complaint unsealed Thursday, December 4, charges Brian J Cole, Jr, a 30-year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce with intent to harm individuals or damage property, and maliciously attempting to damage or destroy the headquarters of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) using fire and explosives. The charges stem from the placement of two pipe bombs near the organizations’ buildings on January 5, 2021, the night before the U.S. Capitol breach.
The arrest was made earlier Thursday morning in northern Virginia. FBI Director Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Ferris Pirro, and FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Darren Cox joined Attorney General Bondi and law enforcement partners in making the announcement.
“Today’s arrest was the result of good, diligent police work and collaboration on a case that languished for four years under the prior administration,” said Attorney General Bondi. “The American people are safer thanks to this morning’s successful operation.”
“The investigation into the pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. has been a high priority since Deputy Director Bongino and I assumed our roles nine months ago. Since that time, our FBI teams have gone back over every fact and every data point looking for new leads – and today’s arrest is the result of that outstanding work,” said FBI Director Patel. “Although almost five years have passed, this shows the FBI will never rest in bringing justice to those who endanger American lives and our communities. I would like to thank our Washington Field Office, FBI personnel across the country, and our partners for their hard work and dedication which led to this arrest.”
“This historic arrest shows this FBI delivers on its promises to protect the American people,” said FBI Deputy Director Bongino. “The pipe bombs could have caused devastating loss of life and injuries, as well as property damage. I want to thank the FBI employees who worked on this over the years, our law enforcement partners who assisted in the investigation, and the American people for the tips they shared with us.”
Before the arrest, the FBI offered an award of up to $500,000 for information that helped identify the subject and released video footage of that individual to further aid in that identification.
Director Patel attributed the suspect’s apprehension to the FBI’s current leadership taking a number of critical steps—including bringing in a fresh team of investigators and experts, reexamining each piece of evidence, and sifting through troves of data—over three million lines of data to identify the alleged pipe bomber.
According to the affidavit, the devices—described as improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—were discovered around 1:00 p.m. on January 6, 2021, near the RNC headquarters and shortly after near the DNC. Both were rendered safe by the U.S. Capitol Police’s Hazardous Devices Section and analyzed by the FBI Laboratory, which confirmed they were functional destructive devices containing a main explosive charge of homemade black powder, along with components such as 1-inch by 8-inch galvanized pipes, end caps, 9-volt batteries and connectors, kitchen timers, electrical wires, alligator clips, paper clips, and steel wool.
Surveillance footage from the evening of January 5 captured an individual placing the bombs between approximately 7:34 p.m. and 8:18 p.m. The person, estimated to be about 5 feet 7 inches tall, was seen wearing dark pants, a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark gloves, Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes, a facemask, and eyeglasses, while carrying a backpack. The footage traced the individual’s path on foot through the Capitol Hill neighborhood, with the DNC device placed around 7:54 p.m. and the RNC device around 8:16 p.m.
The affidavit identifies Cole based on physical matches—he is 5 feet 6 inches tall and wears corrective eyeglasses—as well as financial and location records. Bank and credit card statements show Cole purchased matching components, including pipes, end caps, battery connectors, kitchen timers, wires, and steel wool, from retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, Micro Center, and Lowe’s in northern Virginia between 2019 and 2020. Additional purchases of similar items occurred after January 5, 2021.
Cole, who lives with family also bought tools like safety glasses, wire strippers, sandpaper, and a machinist’s file, consistent with bomb assembly. He works for StateWide Bail Bonds—his family’s business—with his father, that specializes in freeing illegal aliens from ICE custody. The bail bonds company sued the Trump administration in 2019 over alleged discriminatory practices, losing the case on November 10, 2020, just weeks before the attempted bombing.
Historical cell site data from Cole’s cellphone places the device in the vicinity of the RNC and DNC during the exact times depicted in the footage. The phone connected to nearby cell towers in patterns aligning with the suspect’s movements, including seven data sessions between 7:39 p.m. and 8:24 p.m.
Author: Mario Lotmore
