The Justice Department confirmed the man accused of planting two pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices before the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot gave a detailed confession after his arrest.
Brian Cole Jr., who was arrested Dec. 4, initially denied involvement but later admitted to building and placing the devices, according to a Justice Department memo filed Sunday. (RELATED: Report: Suspected DC Pipe Bomber Identified Following Surprise Arrest)
Cole told investigators he was motivated by claims that the 2020 presidential election had been stolen and felt compelled to “speak up” for people who believed those allegations.
“I really don’t like either party at this point,” Cole said, according to the memo.
Prosecutors said Cole told investigators that “something just snapped” as he watched political tensions escalate. He said he targeted the two national party offices because they were “in charge,” but denied intending to attack Congress or disrupt the electoral vote certification scheduled for Jan. 6.
Cole allegedly said he learned how to make black powder from a video game that listed its ingredients and used science-related YouTube videos to assemble the pipe bombs. Investigators later found bombmaking materials in shopping bags in his home and car, prosecutors said.
The devices were placed on Jan. 5, 2021, but failed to detonate and were discovered the following day as rioters breached the U.S. Capitol.
Cole told investigators he was relieved the bombs did not explode and said he did not intend to kill anyone. Prosecutors argued, however, that the failure was due to chance rather than intent, noting that Cole admitted setting the devices to detonate 60 minutes after placement.
“Indeed, the defendant admitted that he set both devices to detonate 60 minutes after he placed them,” the memo reads. “His failure to accomplish his objectives does not mitigate the profoundly dangerous nature of his crimes.”
Cole is charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and attempted malicious destruction by explosive materials. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison, including a mandatory minimum of five years.
In court filings, Cole’s attorney indicated that an indictment may be forthcoming and asked a judge to maintain a detention and preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
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Black Powder? Home Made black Powder? Who uses that unstable crap?
The commercial stuff is OK but efforts to do that in high school got “varied” results.
And everything we heard before this said they would never go off? I know, they lied. But this guy sounds like an idiot that should have blown himself up.
Some of these stories (most) are hard to believe.
“Cole allegedly said he learned how to make black powder from a video game that listed its ingredients and used science-related YouTube videos to assemble the pipe bombs. Investigators later found bombmaking materials in shopping bags in his home and car, prosecutors said.”
I’d like more info on specifically which video game teaches how to make black powder, wouldn’t you? –And which “science-related” U Tube videos show how to assemble pipe bombs. Why is this legal?