BREAKING: Active US soldier charged with planning attack on 9/11 memorial, fellow service members

Federal officials in New York announced today the arrest of Cole Bridges, a/k/a “Cole Gonzales,” a Private First Class in the U.S. Army, on federal terrorism charges based on his alleged efforts to assist ISIS to attack and kill U.S. soldiers in the Middle East. Bridges was charged by Complaint with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and attempting to murder U.S. military service members.

The FBI and Army Counterintelligence arrested Bridges today.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “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. Our troops risk their lives for our country, but they should never face such peril at the hands of one of their own. Today, thanks to the efforts of the agents and detectives of the JTTF, and our partners in the Department of Defense, Bridges is in custody and facing federal terrorism charges for his alleged crimes.”

Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers said: “Bridges is charged with giving military advice and guidance on how to kill fellow soldiers to individuals he thought were part of ISIS. This alleged personal and professional betrayal of comrades and country is terrible to contemplate, but fortunately, the FBI was able to identify the threat posed by Bridges, and today’s charges are the first step in holding him accountable for his crimes. ISIS ideology continues to infect those who would threaten the nation’s security from within and without, and we will continue to fight this threat.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “As we allege today, Bridges, a private in the U.S. Army, betrayed our country and his unit when he plotted with someone he believed was an ISIS sympathizer to help ISIS attack and kill U.S. soldiers in the Middle East. Fortunately, the person with whom he communicated was an FBI employee, and we were able to prevent his evil desires from coming to fruition. Bridges could have chosen a life of honorable service, but instead he traded it for the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence. This case should serve as a reminder that the FBI’s New York JTTF will never quit in its commitment to protect our Nation from all those who seek to do it harm.”

Army Counterintelligence Coordinating Authority Director Roy T. Cochran said: “Army Counterintelligence’s top priority is protecting the force so it can remain committed to fighting and winning our Nation’s wars. The results of this investigation show the efforts of Army Counterintelligence agents working alongside our partners in the FBI. We are dedicated to protecting our Soldiers, Civilians, and Families from terrorist acts and insider threats.”

• [ ] Moar https://breaking911.com/breaking-active-us-soldier-charged-with-planning-attack-on-9-11-memorial-fellow-service-members/

• [ ]