Patel's FBI traced suspect's credit card data to break pipe bomb case: Read criminal complaint

The FBI carefully analyzed the Jan. 6 pipe bomber suspect’s credit card purchases to isolate the components allegedly used to manufacture the two bombs, the newly filed criminal complaint obtained by Just the News shows. 

The complaint, filed secretly on Wednesday, provides a detailed account of how the FBI identified and tracked the prime suspect in the case. It shows the FBI relied on a bank checking account and six different credit cards associated with suspect Brian Cole Jr. to the break in the case.

Notably, Cole appears to have compiled some of the materials the FBI alleges he used to construct the bombs long before the 2020 presidential election, the results of which preceded the Capitol riot which took place on Jan. 6, 2021, the same day the pipe bombs were discovered at the Democratic and Republican National Committees. The pipe bombs allegedly place the night before.

“During 2019 and 2020, COLE purchased multiple items consistent with the components that were used to manufacture the pipe bombs placed at the RNC and DNC. COLE used the Accounts to purchase these items from physical retail locations in northern Virginia,” wrote an FBI special agent in the affidavit submitted to the court. 

According to the charging document, Cole appears to have purchased “six galvanized pipes” matching those used in the pipe bombs on or about June 1, June 8, and November 16, 2020 at two different Home Depot locations in Northern Virginia. Cole also allegedly purchased “a mix of both black and galvanized end caps” on or about October 22, 2019, and March 10, June 20, July 8, and November 16, 2020.

The timers identified in the FBI laboratory analysis of the pipe bombs were allegedly purchased by Cole in June 2020 from a Walmart in northern Virginia.

However, many of the materials the FBI believes Cole used to build the weapons were purchased after Election Day. These include: “A wire stripping tool on or about November 14, 2020; Wire nuts, which are used to join wires together, on or about November 14, 2020; Sandpaper on or about November 21, 2020;A machinist’s file, a tool for shaping and smoothing metal parts, on or about November 21, 2020; and Protective gloves and disinfecting wipes on or about November 24, 2020.” 

You can read the criminal complaint below: 

Notably, the FBI reports that Cole allegedly continued to purchase bomb-making materials after Jan. 6, 2021, adding fresh mystery to the case and the suspect’s motivations. 

“Following the placement of the pipe bombs on January 5, 2021, COLE continued to make purchases of components used in bomb making. For example, on January 21, 2021, COLE purchased one white kitchen timer and two nine-volt batteries from Walmart; on January 22, 2021, COLE purchased 2 galvanized pipes measuring 1” x 8” and steel wool from Home Depot; on January 22, 2021, COLE purchased two of a different kind of Nine Volt Distributor’s nine-volt battery clips from Micro Center; on January 23, 2021, COLE purchased various alligator clips from Home Depot,” the charging document reads. 

So far, neither the FBI nor the Justice Department have revealed anything about what they believe the suspect’s motivates may have been. 

Both FBI and Justice Department officials declined in a press conference Thursday to address any evidence that would show possible motivations. The criminal complaint provides no new details either. 

In addition to tracing the suspects credit card purchases, the FBI assembled data associated with Cole’s mobile phone, which the agent working the case testifies matches closely with Cole’s alleged location according to the security footage long in the FBI’s possession.