FBI charges man with planting pipe bombs on eve of January 6, 2021 Capitol riot
The arrest of 30-year-old suspect Brian Cole Jnr is the first breakthrough in the nearly five-year-old case that had long vexed law enforcement
The FBI arrested a 30-year-old Virginia man and charged him on Thursday with planting a pair of pipe bombs in Washington the night before the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, capping a years-long investigation that gave rise to numerous conspiracy theories.
The suspect, Brian Cole Jnr, of Woodbridge, was charged with use of an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials, Attorney General Pam Bondi and other federal officials told a Washington press conference.
Bondi and other officials did not say what motivated the alleged bomber to plant devices outside the Republican and Democratic Party buildings near the Capitol, or reveal what new break in the case led to the arrest nearly five years after the incident.
“This investigation is ongoing. As we speak, search warrants are being executed, and there could be more charges to come,” Bondi said, noting that a deep review of existing evidence led investigators to Cole.
Police deactivated the bombs the day Trump supporters stormed Congress in an attempt to stop lawmakers from certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory. Thousands of rioters blitzed the Capitol that day, assaulting about 140 officers and causing more than US$2.8 million in damage.
It was unclear if Cole had a lawyer. He lived with his parents in Woodbridge, a suburb about 32km (20 miles) outside Washington, and works for a bail bond company, according to a court filing.