American soldier sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempting to help ISIS attack US forces

A U.S. Army service member was sentenced on Friday to 14 years in prison for attempting to help the terrorist organization of ISIS in attacking United States forces in the Middle East, according to the Justice Department.

The sentencing comes after 24-year-old Cole Bridges pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in 2023, including attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and attempting to murder U.S. military service members. Bridges was sentenced to 14 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

The 24-year-old first joined the Army in 2019 and was stationed in Georgia at the time of his arrest in 2021. Bridges had already been consuming Jihadist propaganda and posted support for ISIS online before he joined the military, and reached out to an undercover FBI agent who he believed was a ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East.

During his communications with the FBI agent, Bridges shared portions of the Army training manual, along with information about military combat tactics that could be used by ISIS. In December of 2020, Bridges sent the informant tips about how to attack U.S. forces in the Middle East.

Bridges also shared a video of himself showing support for ISIS in January of 2021 by standing in front of a flag often used by ISIS members while in his U.S. Army body armor. One week later, he sent a video of him narrating a propaganda video that expressed support for an ISIS attack on U.S. forces.

“The conviction and sentencing of this former Soldier is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Army Counterintelligence Command special agents and law enforcement partners,"  Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, said in a statement reported by The Hill.

"We are grateful for the support of the Department of Justice and FBI in helping to bring this case to a successful conclusion," he continued. "We will continue to work together to ensure the safety and security of our Army and our nation.”

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage