Stow soldier facing terrorism charges
Authorities say a U.S. Army soldier from Stow with less than two years in service has been arrested on charges that he threatened the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan and plotted to help ISIS kill American soldiers in the Middle East.
Cole James Bridges, 20, is charged with attempted material support for terror and attempting to kill U.S. soldiers. The FBI and Army Counterintelligence arrested him Tuesday, and he is scheduled to appear Thursday before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. He is presently in the custody of the Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office in Georgia.
According to the FBI, Bridges joined the U.S. Army around September 2019, and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the 3rd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Ga. Some time later, Bridges allegedly began researching and consuming online propaganda promoting jihadists and their violent ideology, according to the FBI. He also allegedly expressed his support on social media for the Islamic State of Iraq and ISIS.
In October, the FBI said Bridges began communicating with an FBI online covert employee posing as an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. According to the FBI, Bridges expressed his frustration with the U.S. military and his desire to aid ISIS. He then allegedly provided training and guidance to purported ISIS fighters who were planning attacks, including advice about potential targets in New York City, such as the 9/11 Memorial. The FBI said Bridges also provided the the informant with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and guidance about military combat tactics, for use by ISIS.
The communications continued into December, when the FBI said Bridges began to supply the informant with descriptions of specific military maneuvers intended to help ISIS fighters maximize the lethality of attacks on U.S. troops. He also allegedly provided advice about the best ways to fortify encampments to repel attacks, including by wiring certain buildings with explosives to kill the U.S. troops.
In January he allegedly made a video of himself in body armor standing before an ISIS flag expressing support for ISIS. About a week later, he allegedly sent a second video in which he narrated a voice-manipulated propaganda speech in support of an anticipated ambush by ISIS on U.S. troops.
“As alleged, Cole Bridges betrayed the oath he swore to defend the United States by attempting to provide ISIS with tactical military advice to ambush and kill his fellow service members,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss.
An attorney for Bridges could not be identified Tuesday.
Stow Police Capt. Bryan Snavely said the department did not assist in that investigation and has never had any contact with Bridges.
A spokesperson for Stow-munroe Falls City Schools said there is no record of Bridges attending any schools in the district.