Former Army Soldier Sentenced For Attempting To Aid ISIS Attack On US Forces

Cole Bridges, a former US Army soldier, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for attempting to help ISIS ambush American troops. Bridges, who was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, provided tactical advice and plans to individuals he believed were connected to the terrorist organization.

Bridges, 24, admitted to plotting attacks against US forces deployed in the Middle East, using his military training to develop strategies aimed at causing mass casualties. His plot was discovered through an undercover FBI operation in which he communicated with an agent posing as an ISIS supporter.

In June 2023, Bridges pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges. At his sentencing, he expressed regret for his actions and requested a maximum sentence of 40 years. “I know what I did was wrong,” Bridges told the judge, adding that he would live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.

US Attorney Damian Williams condemned Bridges’ actions, highlighting the betrayal of his fellow service members. “Bridges sought to attack the very soldiers he was entrusted to protect,” Williams said. The FBI’s intervention ensured that the plot never materialized.

Bridges’ radicalization began after he started consuming ISIS propaganda online in 2019. By 2020, he was actively plotting attacks, providing detailed advice on how to fortify ISIS positions and ambush US forces. He even sent a video of himself in full Army gear, standing in front of an ISIS flag, signaling his allegiance to the group.

In addition to his prison sentence, Bridges will serve 10 years of supervised release. His case highlights the ongoing risks of radicalization, even among members of the military, and the need for vigilance in preventing such plots.

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