Fri Dec 05 09:45:36 UTC 2025: ## Virginia Man Arrested in Connection to January 6th Capitol Pipe Bombs

Washington, D.C. – Brian Cole, a 30-year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, has been arrested and charged with planting two pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, the Justice Department announced Thursday. The arrest comes after a lengthy investigation that involved thousands of tips received by the FBI.

Cole, who resides with his mother and other family members in a single-family home in Prince William County, Virginia, allegedly placed the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the RNC and DNC headquarters around 1 p.m. on the day of the Capitol riots. The bombs, made from 1-inch by 8-inch pipes, contained homemade black powder, wiring, batteries, and timers. Members of the United States Capitol Police Hazardous Devices Section deactivated both bombs before they could explode.

According to an FBI affidavit, Cole works in the office of a bail bondsman in northern Virginia. Law enforcement officials were able to connect Cole to the crime through cell phone records placing him in the Capitol Hill area at the time the bombs were planted, as well as bank and credit card information linking him to the purchase of bomb components as early as 2019.

The FBI released surveillance footage of the suspect in March 2021, offering a $500,000 reward for information. Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, Darren Cox, stated, “We do not forget, we do not give up, and we do not relent. Though it had been nearly five years, our team continued to churn through massive amounts of data and tips that we used to identify this suspect.”

Cole is charged with transporting IEDs in interstate commerce with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate, and attempted malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials. The Justice Department has not yet revealed a motive.

The investigation into Cole’s role in the January 6th events is ongoing, and further charges may be filed, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Local media reports that Cole is scheduled to appear in federal court in Washington, D.C. later this week. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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