Federal investigators say Brian Cole Jr., charged with attempting to bomb both national party headquarters, maintained an extensive online footprint centered on My Little Pony art, remixes, and fan fiction.
The man accused of attempting to detonate explosive devices outside both the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021, has been identified as a deeply active member of the My Little Pony (“Brony”) fandom, according to online accounts linked to him.
Brian Cole Jr., 30, curated a large collection of My Little Pony–themed artwork, music remixes, and fan fiction across multiple platforms under usernames including iDeltaVelocity, Delta1Forgotten, Bron1Delta, and Blue Velocity.
Authorities say Cole has confessed to constructing the crude devices, neither of which detonated.
A DIGITAL TRAIL OF FAN ART, REMIXES & FANDOM
Cole’s social media footprint shows:
- 87 images of My Little Pony fan art posted to one forum
- Characters in bright pinks, purples, and multicolored manes
- A pony with a bionic leg brace
- A “Star Wars”-themed pony declaring: “I’m not ‘cute,’ I’m deadly”
On a Tumblr account using one of his usernames, Cole commented on an illustration of a pony holding an M60 machine gun:
“Eh… I’d give her an RPG. What can I say? Explosions are COOL!”
Experts told The Post the fandom — once large enough for annual conventions — is generally not sexualized and largely consists of sincere adult hobbyists.
Dr. Daniel Chadborn, an academic who studies the Brony community, said:
“Someone who is disaffected is often going to look for spaces to engage in, for a sense of identity and belonging.”
FAN FICTION WITH DARK THEMES
Cole also appears to have written My Little Pony fan fiction blending fantasy and horror. One excerpt describes zombified ponies rising from graves, with grotesque imagery and psychological distress.
A former classmate told The Washington Post that Cole carried a My Little Pony backpack in high school and was teased for it.
WHO IS BRIAN COLE JR.?
According to previous reporting, Cole lived with his family, worked at their business — Brian Cole Bail Bonds — and rarely interacted socially except for walking his chihuahua.
His grandmother described him as:
“Almost autistic-like, because he doesn’t understand a lot of stuff.”
Cole previously listed his interests as parkour, music, horror video games, drawing, anime, and “improving myself philosophically.”
He also wrote that relieving a bad mood sometimes meant:
“Smashing my head on my keyboard…”
By 2020, investigators say Cole’s public online activity had dropped off as he was already gathering components for pipe bombs, purchasing materials from retailers including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Micro Center.
FEDERAL CHARGES & CONFESSION
Cole faces federal charges of:
- Transporting an explosive device across state lines with intent to kill, injure, or destroy property
- Attempted malicious destruction using explosive materials
Authorities say he has already confessed, though a motive has not been publicly identified.
Hasbro, the company behind My Little Pony, did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
