The case, dormant for nearly five years, unexpectedly surged forward less than a year into a new presidential administration. Brian Cole, a 30-year-old from Woodridge, Virginia, found himself in custody last Thursday, facing charges of using an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction.
Investigators say Cole confessed to planting pipe bombs at the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters on January 5th, 2021 – the eve of the Capitol riot. The timing, so close to a pivotal moment in American history, immediately raised the stakes and fueled the investigation.
Those who knew him paint a startlingly different picture than one might expect of someone accused of such a serious crime. Described by his family as an “autistic recluse” and a “computer nerd,” Cole lived a secluded life in his parents’ basement.
His grandmother offered a further layer of complexity, stating he held no political affiliation and wasn’t a supporter of any particular candidate. This detail challenged initial assumptions and hinted at a more nuanced motivation behind his actions.
But beneath the surface of this quiet, isolated existence lay a hidden world, revealed through a deep dive into Cole’s online activity. It was a world centered around an unexpected passion: My Little Pony.
Cole wasn’t simply a casual fan; he was deeply immersed in the fandom, creating a substantial body of artwork featuring the colorful plastic ponies. His creations spanned various platforms, all linked to his personal email and phone number.
Under the online alias iDeltaVelocity, Cole shared 87 pieces of fan art, showcasing ponies and unicorns in a variety of scenarios. A recurring theme appeared to be customization, with one pony depicted sporting a bionic leg brace.
His artistic preferences leaned towards ponies in shades of pink and purple, often adorned with long, vibrant, multicolored manes. These weren’t the simple, innocent images one might expect; they hinted at a complex inner world.
One striking piece featured a “Star Wars”-inspired pony declaring, “I’m not ‘cute,’ I’m deadly,” a line lifted directly from the video game “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” The juxtaposition was unsettling, a stark contrast between the toy’s intended audience and the message conveyed.
Even more revealing was a comment on a Tumblr account dedicated to My Little Pony art. Responding to a drawing of a pony wielding a machine gun, Cole, through another account, suggested an upgrade: “Eh… I’d give her an RPG. What can I say? Explosions are COOL!”
