DOJ reveals what brought down accused 2021 pipe bomb planter

The Justice Department filed a criminal affidavit on Thursday afternoon in the case of the Jan. 5, 2021, pipe bomb plantings at the Democratic and Republican National Committees.

In particular, the affidavit outlined a key piece of evidence that federal investigators used in their effort to solve the nearly five-year-old mystery and zero in on a suspect, Brian Cole Jr. of Prince William County, Virginia: cell phone tower connection data.

"Provider records show that the COLE CELLPHONE connected with Provider cell phone towers consistent with the COLE CELLPHONE being in the area of the RNC and DNC on January 5, 2021," said the affidavit. "The COLE CELLPHONE engaged in approximately seven data session transactions with Provider towers between 7:39 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. Provider’s historical cell site data shows the specific tower for each of the transactions along with the sector of the tower that engaged in the transaction with the COLE CELLPHONE."

"The seven transactions between the COLE CELLPHONE and Provider’s towers occurred at approximately 7:39 p.m., 7:44 p.m., 7:59 p.m., 8:14 p.m., 8:23 p.m., and 8:24 p.m.," the report continued. "Two transactions took place at 7:39 p.m. During this time period, the COLE CELLPHONE had transactions with five different sectors on Provider’s cell towers."

In addition to the cell data placing Cole near the scene of the crimes, the affidavit noted that Cole has a history of being in the area: "Three weeks before the pipe bombs were placed, on or about December 14, 2020, Cole made a purchase at a restaurant located near First and D Streets, Southeast."

The pipe bombs in question did not detonate, but authorities declared them viable. Furthermore, then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at one point came within 20 feet of one of the explosive devices before they were discovered.