D.C. pipe bomb suspect is 'potential danger' to public and must stay in custody ahead of trial, judge rules

A federal magistrate judge on Friday ordered that the Virginia man accused of planting pipe bombs in the nation’s capital on Jan.

WASHINGTON — A federal magistrate judge on Friday ordered that the Virginia man accused of planting pipe bombs in the nation’s capital on Jan. 5, 2021, remains detained ahead of his trial, determining that he posed a "potential danger" to the public.

Federal prosecutors allege that Brian Cole, 30, planted explosive devices at the Republican and Democratic parties' headquarters nearly five years ago. He’s been in custody since his Dec. 4 arrest, when he was charged with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials.

“Although home incarceration and a GPS monitor would provide some check against Mr. Cole’s ability to carry out any menacing or dangerous conduct in the community, the Court is simply not satisfied these conditions rise to the necessary level,” Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh wrote in his ruling.

“This is particularly true based on the severity of the potential danger Mr. Cole is alleged to pose, given his alleged persistent acquisition and retention of so-called 'bombmaking parts,' and given his reported penchant and capacity to create explosive devices and deploy them in public settings.”

“If the plan had succeeded, the results could have been devastating: creating a greater sense of terror on the eve of a high-security Congressional proceeding, causing serious property damage in the heart of Washington, D.C., grievously injuring DNC or RNC staff and other innocent bystanders, or worse,” Sharbaugh wrote.