A U.S. Army soldier, Cole Bridges, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for conspiring to assist the terrorist group Daesh in attacking American forces.
The sentence was announced by the Department of Justice on October 12, 2024.
Bridges, 24, also known as Cole Gonzales, was arrested in 2021 while serving as a private first class in the Army.
He faced charges for providing military tactics and guidance to individuals he believed were affiliated with Daesh, which included instructions on how to harm fellow soldiers.
His actions raised significant concerns about insider threats to U.S. military personnel.
In June 2023, Bridges pleaded guilty to several terrorism-related charges, admitting his involvement in the conspiracy.
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His criminal activities reportedly began prior to his enlistment in 2019 when he started consuming online content that promoted jihadist ideologies and expressed support for Daesh through social media platforms.
The case underscores the increasing challenges faced by law enforcement and military agencies in identifying and addressing radicalization within their ranks.
Bridges’ conviction reflects ongoing efforts to prevent domestic terrorism and protect American troops from potential insider threats.
Upon completion of his prison term, Bridges will be subject to 10 years of supervised release, during which he will be monitored to prevent any further extremist activities.
The sentence serves as a reminder of the serious consequences for those who seek to undermine the security of U.S. military forces.
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The Department of Justice emphasized that cases like Bridges’ are taken seriously and that they will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who conspire with terrorist organizations.
This incident not only highlights the threat posed by radicalization but also the need for vigilance within the military and among veterans.
The military community remains committed to upholding the values of service and integrity, as it confronts these serious threats from within its ranks.