Defendant in pipe bomb case told investigators he planted the devices: report

The Virginia man charged Thursday in connection with planting two pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol the day before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot reportedly told investigators that he planted them. 

The defendant, Brian Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, Va., said he planted the bombs at the headquarters of the Democratic National and the Republican National committees in a four-hour interview, in a multi-agency probe led by the FBI, according to the Associated Press.

The 30-year-old Cole also reportedly indicated he believed the 2020 presidential election was stolen and expressed views supportive of President Trump. The riot was led by protesters who also believed Trump won and who broke into the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of the election results.

He is charged with placing a pipe bomb and the use of an explosive device, federal officials said Thursday. 

U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya on Friday ordered Cole to remain in jail a day after his arrest. He did not enter a plea and is due back in court Dec. 15 for a detention hearing.

According to an FBI affidavit, investigators identified Cole as a suspect through analysis of credit card charges related to the purchase of pipe bomb components, cellphone towers and a license plate reader.