Summary
A U.S. Army soldier, Cole Bridges, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempting to support the Islamic State in planning attacks against American troops. Bridges, who was 24 years old at the time of his sentencing, will also face 10 years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, joined the Army in 2019 but began expressing support for ISIS and consuming jihadist propaganda prior to his enlistment. His actions included providing military advice and guidance to individuals he believed were affiliated with the Islamic State, including sharing portions of an Army training manual and tactical combat strategies. Federal prosecutors described his conduct as a severe betrayal, emphasizing that he sought to use his military training to facilitate attacks against fellow service members. Bridges was arrested in 2021 after engaging in online communications with an FBI operative posing as an ISIS supporter, during which he detailed plans for ambushes and attacks on U.S. forces.
U.S. Army soldier sentenced for trying to help Islamic State plot attacks against troops
Oct. 12 / Usa Today / Offers a comprehensive account of Bridges' motivations and actions, including detailed descriptions of his communications with an FBI operative. The inclusion of broader context on ISIS enhances understanding, despite some repetition. “ A 24-year-old U.S. Army soldier was sentenced to 14 years in prison for trying to help the Islamic State group attack American troops. Pfc. Cole Bridges,...
US soldier sentenced to 14 years in prison for trying to assist Islamic State
Oct. 11 / Voanews / Highlights the legal ramifications of Cole Bridges' actions, providing a clear timeline and context for his support of ISIS. The authoritative voice of the DOJ adds weight to the narrative, though it lacks depth. “ A U.S. Army soldier was sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempting to help the Islamic State conduct a deadly ambush of U.S. troops, the Department of...