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The man accused of placing pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican party headquarters five years ago pleaded not guilty in a court appearance Friday.
Brian J. Cole, Jr. was arrested by the FBI at his home in Virginia in early December and faces two counts of transportation and attempted use of explosives.
The suspect was indicted on federal charges this week, FOX 5 reported.
He allegedly admitted to placing the bombs, which did not detonate, in downtown Washington, DC on the eve of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
FEDS SAY MAN ACCUSED OF PLANTING DC TUBE BOMBS CONFESSED, ADMITTING HE ADDRESSED BOTH PARTIES
Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows the alleged D.C. pipeline bomber walking near the Democratic National Committee on Jan. 5, 2021, along with a photograph of accused suspect Brian Cole Jr., who was ordered detained while awaiting trial. (Department of Justice)
Although he initially denied involvement to investigators, he eventually admitted to planting the bombs when he was reminded that lying was an additional crime after he was shown alleged surveillance video of him at the scene, according to the Justice Department.
“According to the defendant, he was not actually thinking about how people would react when the bombs detonated, although he hoped there would be news about it,” court documents say, adding that he was “relieved” when he heard that they had not detonated.
Sketch of Brian Cole Jr.'s first appearance in federal court in Washington DC, December 5. Cole is the prime suspect in the DC pipeline bombing. (Dana Verkouteren)
Regarding his motive, Cole said that “something just snapped” after “watching everything get worse” after the 2020 election, and he wanted to do something “to the parties” because “they were in charge.”
DC PIPE BOMB SUSPECT IDENTIFIED IN BRIAN COLE JR
The suspect is seen outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters moments before planting one of two pipe bombs discovered near the party's offices in Washington, DC. (FBI)
“In the end, it was luck, not lack of effort, that the defendant failed to detonate one or both of his devices and that no one was killed or maimed due to his actions,” court documents say. “In fact, the defendant admitted that he detonated both devices 60 minutes after placing them. His failure to achieve his objectives does not mitigate the deeply dangerous nature of his crimes.”
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Cole also continued to purchase bomb-making materials after the failed Jan. 5 attack, prosecutors said.
He faces 10 years in prison on one count and 20 years in prison if convicted of the second count.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
