Suspected DC pipe bomber to appear at detention hearing after alleged confession

"Cole's lawyers argue that he should be released while he awaits trial, as he does not present any danger. In a recent court filing, they write that Cole has agreed to home detention enforced by GPS monitoring, and will live under the supervision of his grandmother. The defense also notes that Cole is on the autism spectrum, has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and has zero criminal history, and there is zero evidence that he will flee."

"However, according to a recent justice department memo, Cole allegedly confessed to his crimes after he was arrested by law enforcement. At the time, his home was also searched and several bomb-making components were found on the premises. The FBI also obtained Cole's credit card statements, which, they note, showed the purchase of several materials used to make the bombs."

"The documents state that in a video interview with authorities, Cole, 30, said that he was in Washington DC to protest against the outcome of the 2020 election on 5 January. He initially maintained that he did not plant the pipe bombs, and was not the person pictured in surveillance footage on the evening of the attempted attacks. However, after the interviewing agents reminded the defendant that lying to them was an additional criminal offense"

Brian Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, Virginia, is accused of planting pipe bombs outside both the Democratic and Republican national committee headquarters the night before the January 6 Capitol attack. Authorities arrested him earlier this month and he has not entered a plea. His lawyers say he poses no danger, request release to home detention with GPS monitoring under his grandmother's supervision, and note his autism spectrum diagnosis, obsessive compulsive disorder, and lack of criminal history. Prosecutors cite a justice department memo saying he confessed after arrest, a search that recovered bomb components, credit card records of purchases, and surveillance and interview statements.

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