Changes

January 29, 2021.</ref> Cole Bridges AKA Cole Gonzales [age 20 in 2021] was arrested on terrorism charges, including suggesting wiring explosives into buildings as part of an Islamic State plot to kill US troops, as well as allegedly planning an attack on the 9/11 Memorial.<ref>Aaron Katersky, [https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-soldier-arrested-alleged-plot-attack-nyc-landmark/story?id=75347507 US soldier arrested after alleged plot to attack NYC landmark], ''ABC News'', January 19, 2021.</ref>

January 29, 2021.</ref> Cole Bridges AKA Cole Gonzales [age 20 in 2021] was arrested on terrorism charges, including suggesting wiring explosives into buildings as part of an Islamic State plot to kill US troops, as well as allegedly planning an attack on the 9/11 Memorial.<ref>Aaron Katersky, [https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-soldier-arrested-alleged-plot-attack-nyc-landmark/story?id=75347507 US soldier arrested after alleged plot to attack NYC landmark], ''ABC News'', January 19, 2021.</ref>

He was duped into thinking he was communicating online with a terrorist when it was really an FBI employee

He was duped into thinking he was communicating online with a terrorist when it was really an FBI employee

<ref>[https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/us-army-soldier-cole-bridges-pleads-guilty-isis-ambush-fellow-troops.amp Army soldier pleads guilty to attempting to help ISIS ambush felow troops], ''Fox10'' Phoenix, Jun 15, 2023.</ref> His crimes began in at least 2019.<ref>[https://breaking911.com/u-s-army-soldier-admits-to-trying-to-help-isis-ambush-kill-fellow-servicemembers/ U.S. Army Soldier Admits To Trying To Help ISIS Ambush, Kill Fellow Servicemembers], ''B911'', June 15, 2023059

<ref>[https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/us-army-soldier-cole-bridges-pleads-guilty-isis-ambush-fellow-troops.amp Army soldier pleads guilty to attempting to help ISIS ambush felow troops], ''Fox10'' Phoenix, Jun 15, 2023.</ref> His crimes began in at least 2019.<ref>[https://breaking911.com/u-s-army-soldier-admits-to-trying-to-help-isis-ambush-kill-fellow-servicemembers/ U.S. Army Soldier Admits To Trying To Help ISIS Ambush, Kill Fellow Servicemembers], ''B911'', June 15, 2023.

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<blockquote>Cole Bridges, aka Cole Gonzales, 22, of Stow, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. According to court documents, Bridges joined the U.S. Army in approximately September 2019 and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the Third Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Beginning in at least 2019, Bridges began researching and consuming online propaganda promoting jihadists and their violent ideology. Bridges also expressed his support for ISIS and jihad on social media. In or about October 2020, Bridges began communicating with an FBI online covert employee (the OCE), who was posing as an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. During these communications, Bridges expressed his frustration with the U.S. military and his desire to aid ISIS. Bridges then provided training and guidance to purported ISIS fighters who were planning attacks, including advice about potential targets in New York City. Bridges also provided the OCE with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and guidance about military combat tactics, for use by ISIS.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Cole Bridges, aka Cole Gonzales, 22, of Stow, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. According to court documents, Bridges joined the U.S. Army in approximately September 2019 and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the Third Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Beginning in at least 2019, Bridges began researching and consuming online propaganda promoting jihadists and their violent ideology. Bridges also expressed his support for ISIS and jihad on social media. In or about October 2020, Bridges began communicating with an FBI online covert employee (the OCE), who was posing as an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. During these communications, Bridges expressed his frustration with the U.S. military and his desire to aid ISIS. Bridges then provided training and guidance to purported ISIS fighters who were planning attacks, including advice about potential targets in New York City. Bridges also provided the OCE with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and guidance about military combat tactics, for use by ISIS.</blockquote>