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A US Army soldier, Cole Bridges, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to help the Islamic State (ISIS) ambush his fellow soldiers. Bridges, who is from Stow, Ohio, had conversations with an undercover FBI agent whom he believed to be a terrorist, offering advice and assistance in planning attacks.

 

 

During a nearly five-hour hearing in Manhattan federal court, Bridges, 24, asked to be given the maximum possible sentence of 40 years. "Honestly, I do believe that I deserve the maximum sentence," Bridges told Judge Lewis J. Liman. "I know what I did was wrong," he said, expressing deep regret. He added that he would carry this regret "for as long as I live."

 

Judge Liman acknowledged that Bridges had shown signs of remorse and emphasized that the soldier had not had direct communications with actual ISIS operatives. Liman also noted that Bridges was "not a hardened criminal." Despite Bridges' request for the maximum sentence, the judge handed down a 14-year prison term, stressing that it would serve as a deterrent to others in the military who might consider turning against their comrades.

 

At the time of the crime, Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, was serving as a cavalry scout with the Third Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He had joined the Army in September 2019, but about a year before enlisting, he began to explore online jihadist propaganda and express support for ISIS on social media.

 

Court documents revealed that about a year into his military service, Bridges started communicating with an undercover FBI operative posing as an ISIS supporter. In these exchanges, Bridges voiced frustration with the US military and indicated a desire to aid the terror group. He provided advice on military combat tactics, portions of a US Army training manual, and even suggested targets in New York City, all with the understanding that this information would be used by ISIS.

 

Bridges went further by instructing the undercover agent on how to carry out attacks on US troops in the Middle East. He provided diagrams of military maneuvers aimed at maximizing casualties among US forces and offered guidance on fortifying ISIS encampments to ambush US Special Forces. He even suggested wiring buildings with explosives to kill American troops.

 

In January 2021, Bridges sent the FBI operative a video of himself in his Army body armor, standing in front of a flag commonly associated with ISIS, making a gesture of support for the terrorist group. Shortly afterward, he sent another propaganda video, in which he used a voice manipulator to narrate support for a planned ISIS ambush on US forces.

 

While Bridges' attorney, Sabrina Shroff, argued for leniency, citing that he had been lured into the plot by undercover agents and was struggling with depression and isolation from his family, the court focused on the severity of his actions.

 

Judge Liman referred to the "most chilling evidence" as being Bridges' willingness to provide advice on minimizing casualties during an attack. Nonetheless, the judge acknowledged that Bridges had shown relief after his arrest, realizing he had been dealing with the FBI rather than actual terrorists.

 

Based on a report from NYP 2024-10-14

 

 

 

[rocketboy2]

Excellent.

A good news thread.

[mdr224]

Most likely he was a democrat

[Chomper Higgot]

Good to see an American supporter of America’s enemies getting the justice he deserves.

 

More please.

[mdr224]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

American supporter of America’s enemies

Otherwise known as the left

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, mdr224 said:

Otherwise known as the left

In your own head it is.

[HappyExpat57]

1 hour ago, mdr224 said:

Most likely he was a democrat

Ferchrissake, can't you give it a rest?

 

This is a prime example of how this forum has devolved dramatically after the merge. ☹️

Edited 1 hour ago by HappyExpat57

[mdr224]

1 minute ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Ferchrissake, can't you give it a rest?

 

This is a primary example of how this forum has devolved dramatically after the merge. ☹️

Then leave