U.S. soldier sentenced to 14 years for attempted ISIS collaboration in plot against American troops
A U.S. Army soldier from Ohio has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for attempting to aid ISIS in planning an ambush on U.S. forces.
A U.S. Army soldier from Ohio has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for attempting to aid ISIS in planning an ambush on U.S. forces. Cole Bridges, 24, was convicted of “attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization” and plotting to murder fellow U.S. service members, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
Bridges, who joined the Army in 2019 and served as a cavalry scout, was arrested after an FBI sting operation revealed his attempts to assist ISIS fighters. According to court documents, by 2020, Bridges had become disillusioned with the U.S. military and began communicating with an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS supporter.
“Bridges provided training and guidance to purported ISIS fighters,” including advice on attacking U.S. soldiers and fortifying ISIS encampments to ambush U.S. Special Forces, the DOJ said. He even shared sections of a U.S. Army training manual and created diagrams to help ISIS militants “maximize the lethality of future attacks.”
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In a shocking display of allegiance, Bridges recorded videos in his U.S. Army uniform, standing in front of an ISIS flag, and voiced propaganda in support of the terrorist group. The DOJ emphasized that Bridges’ actions were not just a betrayal of his country but put American soldiers directly at risk. “Our troops risk their lives for our country,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss, adding that “they should never face such peril at the hands of one of their own.”
Bridges’ sentence also includes 10 years of supervised release after his prison term, ensuring long-term oversight of the former soldier.
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