U.S. Army Soldier Sentenced to 14 Years for Plotting to Assist ISIS in Attacking Fellow Troops

In a significant legal outcome, a soldier from the U.S. Army, identified as Cole Bridges, 24, hailing from Stow, Ohio, has been sentenced to a substantial 14 years in prison. This decision was made after Bridges pleaded guilty to attempting to assist the notorious Islamic State (ISIS) terror group in orchestrating ambushes against his fellow soldiers stationed in the Middle East during communications wherein he believed he was interacting with a terrorist. The case was addressed in a nearly five-hour federal court proceeding in Manhattan, where Bridges surprisingly requested a maximum 40-year sentence for himself. The plea was a stark admission of guilt as Bridges had previously pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in June 2023.

Expressions of Remorse in Court

Addressing Judge Lewis J. Liman, Bridges expressed, “Honestly, I do believe that I deserve the maximum sentence. I know what I did was wrong” and further mentioned that he would carry “regret for as long as I live.” However, Judge Liman, while acknowledging Bridges' request, cited various factors that indicated Bridges was “not a hardened criminal” and noted the lack of actual communications with the Islamic State organization. Notably, Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, was assigned to the Third Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Georgia, as a cavalry scout at the time of the offense, having joined the Army in September 2019.

Radicalization and Attempted Support for ISIS

As outlined in court documents, Bridges commenced his journey toward extremism about a year before his enlistment in the Army, engaging in research and consuming online propaganda that glorified jihadists and their violent ideologies. Subsequently, he began expressing his support for ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and jihad on social media platforms. About a year into his military service, Bridges initiated communication with an FBI online covert employee (OCE) posing as an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. During these exchanges, Bridges articulated his discontent with the U.S. military and expressed a desire to aid ISIS.

Providing Guidance and Tactical Information

Furthermore, Bridges went beyond mere expressions of support and actively provided training and guidance to purported ISIS fighters planning attacks. This included advice on potential targets in New York City, as well as sharing portions of a U.S. Army training manual and guidance on military combat tactics, with the understanding that these materials would be utilized by ISIS in future attack planning. Bridges' involvement escalated as he proceeded to furnish the OCE with instructions for the purported ISIS fighters on attacking U.S. forces in the Middle East. He even diagrammed military maneuvers to enhance the effectiveness of future attacks on U.S. troops and provided suggestions on fortifying ISIS encampments to ambush U.S. Special Forces, including wiring buildings with explosives to maximize harm to U.S. personnel.

Propaganda Videos and Expression of Support for ISIS

In a further demonstration of his support for the Islamic State, Bridges, in January 2021, sent the OCE a video of himself in U.S. Army body armor, standing in front of an ISIS flag and making gestures symbolizing support for the terror group. This was followed by a second propaganda video, narrated using a voice manipulator, in support of the anticipated ambush by ISIS on U.S. troops. These actions underscored Bridges' blatant disregard for the safety of his fellow soldiers and further solidified the gravity of his offenses.

Judicial Remarks and Sentencing

During the sentencing, Judge Liman emphasized the importance of the 14-year sentence in deterring other military personnel from contemplating attacks against their own forces. He acknowledged that Bridges had exhibited signs of remorse, including relief upon his arrest, realizing that he had been dealing with the FBI rather than actual terrorists. Judge Liman highlighted the “most chilling evidence” being Bridges' willingness to advise the undercover agent on minimizing casualties in an attack, reflecting the depth of his intent to cause harm.

Defense Argument and Plea for Leniency

In a plea for leniency, Bridges' attorney, Sabrina Shroff, requested the court consider the nearly four years Bridges had already spent incarcerated and argued for a lighter sentence. Shroff contended that Bridges had been lured into the plot by undercover U.S. law enforcement agents posing as supporters of ISIS and painted him as a vulnerable individual seeking a sense of community after isolating from his family and battling with depression.

This high-profile case sheds light on the dangers of radicalization and the potential for individuals within the military to succumb to extremist ideologies. The 14-year prison sentence serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences awaiting those who engage in or support terrorism, particularly from within the ranks of the armed forces.