Overview
- Federal agents identified the Woodbridge, Virginia, man as the suspect in the placement of viable pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC on Jan. 5, 2021, and charged him with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction.
- At his initial appearance in Washington, a magistrate judge ordered Cole detained; he did not enter a plea and is next due in court on Dec. 15.
- An FBI affidavit cites surveillance footage, historical cell-site records near both party headquarters, a license-plate reader hit on his 2017 Nissan Sentra, and purchase histories for matching pipes, end caps, timers, wires, batteries, and steel wool.
- Investigators say the bombs were capable of causing serious injury or death; post-arrest filings also allege Cole continued buying similar components after Jan. 6.
- Multiple outlets report Cole gave hours of statements to the FBI and that people familiar with the probe say he believed the 2020 election was stolen, which investigators have not presented as proven motive in court.