WASHINGTON (AP) – A federal magistrate judge on Friday declined to order the pretrial release of Brian J. Cole Jr., who is charged with planting two pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) on the eve of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh determined that there are no conditions that could ensure public safety if Cole were to be released. The ruling emphasized the significant danger that Cole allegedly poses, given the gravity of the charges against him.
According to prosecutors from the Justice Department, Cole admitted to placing the pipe bombs just hours before supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol. During an interrogation, Cole reportedly confessed that he wished the explosives would detonate, expressing a desire for news coverage related to the incident.
Judge Sharbaugh articulated concerns regarding the potential consequences if the plot had succeeded, stating, “Mercifully, that did not happen. But if the plan had succeeded, the results could have been devastating.” He noted that the bombs could have led to widespread terror on the eve of a significant Congressional proceeding, could have inflicted serious injuries on DNC and RNC staff, caused property damage in a critical area of Washington, D.C., or led to even graver outcomes.
Cole was arrested last month, and during his arrest, he purportedly indicated that he felt compelled to act on behalf of individuals who believed the 2020 presidential election had been stolen from Joe Biden. He targeted the political parties as they were “in charge,” reflecting his disdain for the political landscape.
If convicted on both counts, Cole could face up to 30 years in prison—up to 10 years for one charge and a potential 20 years on another charge, which carries a minimum prison sentence of five years.
Cole’s defense team sought his release on home detention with GPS monitoring, arguing that he does not pose a danger to the community. They pointed to his clean criminal record, a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the stable home environment he shared with his parents in Woodbridge, Virginia. They described the risks suggested by the government as theoretical and argued that Cole had lived at home without incident for the past four years.
However, prosecutors shared that Cole continued to acquire bomb-making materials for several months following the January 6 riot. He allegedly told the FBI that a sudden emotional shift led him to plant the bombs, raising alarms about his impulsivity and the potential for similar behavior in the future.
Judge Sharbaugh highlighted this unpredictability as a major factor in his decision to deny bail, expressing concern about how quickly Cole might revert to similarly abrupt and reckless actions.
