DC pipe bomb suspect must remain in jail before trial, judge rules

A magistrate judge ordered that Brian Cole Jr., accused of placing explosive devices outside the Democratic and Republican party headquarters the night before 6 January, must remain in custody pending trial; the court said it could not set conditions to assure community safety.

A federal magistrate judge has ordered that a man accused of placing explosive devices outside the Democratic and Republican party headquarters the night before 6 January remain in custody pending trial. The court found the defendant presents an intolerable risk to community safety and granted the government's request for pretrial detention. The defendant is identified in court filings as Brian Cole Jr. Authorities say he was arrested on 4 December. Key points: - The allegation is that two improvised explosive devices were placed near party headquarters on the evening of 5 January 2021. - The magistrate judge ruled there are no conditions of release that would reasonably assure the safety of the community and ordered pretrial detention. - Authorities arrested the man on 4 December, according to court filings. - The defendant is awaiting trial and remains in custody. Summary: The court's detention order keeps the defendant jailed while the case moves through the federal system. Undetermined at this time.