US soldier sentenced to 14 years for seeking to aid ISIS plot

A U.S. soldier has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after seeking to support an ISIS attack that intended to kill American soldiers in the Middle East. 

Cole Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, pled guilty to terrorism charges in 2023. His prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) release on Friday. 

Bridges joined the U.S. Army in 2019. Prior to enlisting, he consumed content promoting and expressed support for jihadists and “their violent ideology,” according to the DOJ.

In the fall of 2020, Bridges began to correspond with an FBI employee, posing as an individual in contact with ISIS, the DOJ said. Bridges began to express his hope to aid the terrorist organization and provided guidance to ISIS fighters planning attacks. 

Per the release, Bridges sent the undercover agent some parts of the U.S. Army training manual and in approximately December 2020, gave the individual instructions on how to fight U.S. forces in the region. 

“Bridges also provided the OCE with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and guidance about military combat tactics, with the understanding that the materials would be used by ISIS in future attack planning,” the DOJ wrote in the statement. 

In January 2021, Bridges sent a video of himself posing in his Army uniform in front of a flag often used by ISIS members, making a gesture supporting the terrorist group, the DOJ said. He also sent a video of him narrating a propaganda speech in which he supported an ambush on U.S. troops. 

FBI bureaus in Washington, Atlanta and Cleveland investigated this case in tandem with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and U.S. Army Third Infantry Division.

“The conviction and sentencing of this former Soldier is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Army Counterintelligence Command special agents and law enforcement partners. We are grateful for the support of the Department of Justice and FBI in helping to bring this case to a successful conclusion.” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command. “We will continue to work together to ensure the safety and security of our Army and our nation.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Matthew Hellman for the Southern District of New York prosecuted this case. Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section also assisted.

Updated at 10:02 p.m.