Cole Bridges, a U.S. Army soldier, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to assist the Islamic State terror group in planning an ambush on his fellow soldiers in the Middle East. Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, joined the Army in 2019 and began communicating with an FBI covert employee posing as an ISIS supporter, expressing his desire to aid ISIS. During these conversations, Bridges provided training and guidance to purported ISIS fighters on how to attack U.S. forces, including supplying instructions for maximizing the lethality of future attacks on U.S. troops.
Bridges, who was assigned to the Third Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Georgia, at the time of the crime, also gave advice about fortifying an ISIS encampment to ambush U.S. Special Forces, including wiring buildings with explosives. He provided the undercover agent with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and guidance on military combat tactics, all with the understanding that the materials would be used by ISIS in future attack planning. In January 2021, Bridges sent a video of himself in his U.S. Army body armor standing in front of an ISIS flag and making a gesture symbolic of support for the group.
During his sentencing, Bridges requested a maximum 40-year sentence, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging that he deserved the punishment. The judge, Lewis J. Liman, ultimately sentenced him to 14 years in prison. Liman cited the fact that Bridges had no actual communications with the Islamic State organization and noted that he had shown signs of remorse, including expressing relief that he had been dealing with the FBI rather than terrorists. The judge also highlighted Bridges’ willingness to provide advice to the undercover agent on how ISIS could minimize casualties in an attack.
Bridges’ attorney, Sabrina Shroff, argued for leniency during the sentencing, stating that Bridges was lured into the plot by undercover U.S. law enforcement agents who posed as ISIS supporters. She described Bridges as a vulnerable target seeking a sense of community after becoming isolated from his family and suffering from depression. Despite this argument, the judge sentenced Bridges to 14 years in prison, stating that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to other members of the armed forces who might contemplate attacking the military. The judge emphasized the serious nature of Bridges’ actions, including his willingness to provide advice on attacking U.S. forces to a terrorist group.
Overall, Cole Bridges’ case serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of individuals becoming radicalized and attempting to aid terrorist organizations. Bridges’ willingness to provide guidance and support to ISIS fighters demonstrates the importance of vigilance within the military and the need to address any signs of radicalization among service members. The sentence handed down to Bridges underscores the seriousness of his actions and the impact they could have had on the safety and security of U.S. forces in the Middle East.
