In a move that could soon bring closure to a mystery investigated by federal law enforcement for nearly five years, the FBI announced a person has been arrested for allegedlyplanting pipe bombs in Washingtonahead of theCapitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
The suspect was identified as Brian Jerome Cole Jr., 30, of Northern Virginia, Attorney GeneralPam Bondisaid in a Thursday, Dec. 4, news briefing.
The pipe bombs were placed near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees on the night of Jan. 5, 2021, the FBI previously said. The explosives did not detonate.
Federal law enforcement officials said they located Cole by using evidence they already had – not a new tip – including cell phone data and purchasing records that a special team of investigators was brought in to reevaluate.
"That evidence has been sitting there collecting dust," Bondi said.
But who is Brian Cole? Here's what we know so far about the alleged suspect.
FBI arrest:Person suspected of planting pipe bombs ahead of Jan. 6 riots in custody
Who is Brian Cole?
Brian Cole, 30, lives in Woodbridge, Virginia, a community in Prince William County located about 20 miles south of Washington.
According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia reviewed by USA TODAY, Cole resides in a home with his mother and other family members.
Prince William County Public Schools Director of Communication Diana Gulotta confirmed to USA TODAY that Cole graduated from Hylton High School in 2013.
According to public records reviewed by USA TODAY, Cole does not have a criminal history but does have several traffic violations on file, which took place after the pipe bomb incident.
What charges is Brian Cole facing?
Cole is charged with use of an explosive device, Bondi told reporters.
"There could be more charges to come," Bondi said Thursday afternoon. "There was no new tip. There was no new witness, just good diligent police work and prosecutorial work."
Documents say Cole bought pipe bomb components from Home Depot, Walmart
Cole's credit card and checking account records showed that he purchased multiple items as early as October 2019 through late 2020 consistent with the components used to manufacture two pipe bombs placed at the RNC and DNC offices, according to his 7-page charging document.
Cole bought components including a galvanized pipe, end caps, electrical wire, battery clips and white kitchen timers,court recordsalso said. Investigators tracked Cole's purchases at Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart and Micro Center.
The suspect bought items including safety glasses, a wire-stripping tool and a machinist's file, which could be used to make pipe bombs, officials said. Cole then allegedly continued to buy the components after the pipe bombs were found, including a kitchen timer, more nine-volt batteries and galvanized pipes during January 2021.
A call to Cole's phone number listed in public records, as well as to other relatives, went unanswered on Dec. 4.
Provider records show Cole's cell phone connected with towers consistent with his being in the area of the RNC and DNC offices on Jan. 5, 2021.
In addition, court documents continued, a Virginia license plate registered to a 2017 Nissan Sentra that he owns was captured on camera the same day at 7:10 p.m., at the South Capitol Street exit from Interstate 395 South. That's "less than one-half mile from the location where the individual who placed the devices was first observed on foot," records said.
It was not immediately clear if he had obtained legal counsel.
What to know about the case:ICE deports student headed home for Thanksgiving.
FBI, local law enforcement search home
On Thursday, Dec. 4, Prince William County police and FBI agents sealed the street in front of the suspect's home.
It was not immediately known what law enforcement recovered, if anything.
USA TODAY has reached out to the FBI and Prince William County police for more information.
Contributing: Bart Jansen, Sarah D. Wire with USA TODAY
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Who is Brian Cole, the Washington, DC pipe bomb suspect?
