NC - State of Emergency Declared in Moore County - Criminal Attack on Power Substations - 45K W/O Power

[AC4RD]

Woman plotted to destroy energy substations with neo-Nazi leader, FBI says

Sarah Beth Clendaniel of Catonsville was arrested by the FBI for allegedly planning to destroy energy substations in the Baltimore area and “lay this city to waste.”

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

View attachment 400695

(with regard to the photo) "Mom, Dad, I've met a wonderful girl!" ;-)

quoted from first of the two links in @steeltowngirl 's message: "NBC News reports that Russell is a known neo-Nazi and founder of the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group bent on "ushering in the collapse of civilization," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group admires Charles Manson and supports "the idea of lone wolf violence," according to the Anti-Defamation League."

Maybe it's just me, but people who think they can "usher in the collapse of civilization" by shooting some power stations--JMHO but I think the issue of whether or not the crimes represent "terrorism" is pretty much settled.

 

[scapa]

(with regard to the photo) "Mom, Dad, I've met a wonderful girl!" ;-)

quoted from first of the two links in @steeltowngirl 's message: "NBC News reports that Russell is a known neo-Nazi and founder of the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group bent on "ushering in the collapse of civilization," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group admires Charles Manson and supports "the idea of lone wolf violence," according to the Anti-Defamation League."

Maybe it's just me, but people who think they can "usher in the collapse of civilization" by shooting some power stations--JMHO but I think the issue of whether or not the crimes represent "terrorism" is pretty much settled.

Yep. And yet there seems to be some reluctance to apply this label and investigate accordingly. Perhaps there's a sense that these are "only" mechanical installations, and even sympathy in some quarters for the attackers' stated aims?

Very different cases, but some of the language used by the plotters reminds me of Steven Carrillo:

Alleged 'boogaloo' extremist sentenced to 41 years in murder of federal officer

The former Air Force staff sergeant pleaded guilty in the May 2020 murder of David Patrick Underwood.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Puzzles8]

dbm

 

[cvaldez1975]

Hmmm so this happened across from my sons high school: road was blocked all week.

Related?

Suspect in San Jose explosives case allegedly blew up PG&E equipment - NewsBreak

A San Jose man who was arrested for allegedly having explosives and drug-making materials in his home was charged Friday by prosecutors of being involved with...

share.newsbreak.com

 

[Hoosgirl]

Sigh. Doesn't give a lot of confidence in this investigation.

EXCLUSIVE: Records show uncoordinated response to Moore County power grid attack

Details about the criminal investigation have been slim, but Channel 9′s Madison Carter has uncovered new information about how the case is being handled by law enforcement.

www.google.com

 

[sds71]

Christopher Brenner Cook, 20, of Columbus, Ohio, and Jonathan Allen Frost, 24, of Katy, Texas, and West Lafayette, Indiana, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. Cook was sentenced was sentenced to 92 months in prison and Frost was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Jackson Matthew Sawall, 22, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was also charged and pleaded guilty in February 2022 in connection with the scheme and will be sentenced at a later date.

“These defendants plotted armed attacks against energy facilities to stoke division in furtherance of white supremacist ideology and now they are being held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will not tolerate the use of violence to advance any extremist ideology and we remain determined to protect our communities from such hateful acts of terror.”

Two Men Sentenced for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Plot to Attack Power Grids in the United States

Two men were sentenced in federal court today to crimes related to a scheme to attack power grids in the United States in furtherance white supremacy.

www.justice.gov

 

[JerseyGirl]

Neo-Nazis sentenced to years in prison after substation attack conspiracy

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WGHP) — Two men will spend years in prison and another will be committed to a hospital after being sentenced for plotting to attack the United States electrical grid in 2022, court …

myfox8.com

 

[Hoosgirl]

No progress on this case, no arrests.

Attacks on Moore County's power grid prompt security cameras, patrols and better equipment

Federal lawmakers held a hearing Friday to review the December attack on the Moore County power grid that left left over 45,000 homes and businesses without power for days.

www.google.com

Rep. Richard Hudson, who represents Moore County in Congress, was concerned that no arrests have been made.

"To the folks that perpetrated this: you did not get away with this," he said. "We are coming for you. We're going to find you, and we are going to find you accountable."

Hudson acknowledged there is a long way to go, saying the government still hasn't identified who might be behind these attacks.

 

[ArianeEmory]

Killing your neighbors by attacking infrastructure isn’t a great way to promote your message.

 

[maconrich]

"A press release from the FBI in early December 2023 said officials are asking the public for assistance locating a minivan seen on Dec. 3, 2022, the night of two electrical substation shootings in Moore County. "

"The van is likely a silver or light blue, 2011-2017, Honda Odyssey. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the van the night of the shooting between 6 p.m.-10 p.m. to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI (225-5324), the Moore County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 910-947-4444 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. "

NC substation shootings: FBI, sheriff's office searching for van seen on night of attack

Authorities continue investigating an attack on Duke Energy substations that left thousands of North Carolinians in the dark last December.

wlos.com

 

[Puzzles8]

"A press release from the FBI in early December 2023 said officials are asking the public for assistance locating a minivan seen on Dec. 3, 2022, the night of two electrical substation shootings in Moore County. "

"The van is likely a silver or light blue, 2011-2017, Honda Odyssey. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the van the night of the shooting between 6 p.m.-10 p.m. to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI (225-5324), the Moore County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 910-947-4444 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. "

NC substation shootings: FBI, sheriff's office searching for van seen on night of attack

Authorities continue investigating an attack on Duke Energy substations that left thousands of North Carolinians in the dark last December.

wlos.com

I wonder if this announcement is in reaction to a recent threat? Why did they just announce the search for this mini-van? If it was because of a recent tip, why did it take this long for that tip to come forward?

JMO

 

[airportwoman]

I wonder if this announcement is in reaction to a recent threat? Why did they just announce the search for this mini-van? If it was because of a recent tip, why did it take this long for that tip to come forward?

JMO

Possibly, a relationship ended and somebody finally feels safe coming forward?

 

[Puzzles8]

Possibly, a relationship ended and somebody finally feels safe coming forward?

That's exactly what helped to solve the 1993 Brown's Chicken Massacre in Palatine IL. There were seven people murdered that night and it had become a cold case. A former girlfriend came forward in 2002.

Brown's Chicken massacre - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

JMO

 

[maconrich]

Not much additional info aside from this point about LE:

"The occupant(s) of the van may have information relevant to the investigation. Agents and detectives are conducting numerous lawful methods to locate the van. We also know the public can provide valuable information to augment law enforcement investigations."

FBI: Minivan new clue in Moore County substation attack; $100,000 reward

After almost a year since the Moore County substation attack, the FBI and sheriff's office are asking for the public's help following a new lead.

www.wral.com

 

[Hoosgirl]

Warrants reveal couple was subject of interest in Moore County power-grid attacks

The warrants show that investigators were looking to search the phone records of a Moore County couple following a tip that they may have been involved.

abc11.com

 

[Hoosgirl]

Lots of intriguing details ... hope LE is closing in on the perp(s):

Unsealed warrant provides closer look at NC power grid attack investigation

A newly unsealed search warrant provides a closer look at the investigation into the Moore County power grid attack.

www.google.com

 

[airportwoman]

Thanks for the update! An attack like this could have dire consequences for many people.

 

[Hoopsticks]

(with regard to the photo) "Mom, Dad, I've met a wonderful girl!" ;-)

quoted from first of the two links in @steeltowngirl 's message: "NBC News reports that Russell is a known neo-Nazi and founder of the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group bent on "ushering in the collapse of civilization," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group admires Charles Manson and supports "the idea of lone wolf violence," according to the Anti-Defamation League."

Maybe it's just me, but people who think they can "usher in the collapse of civilization" by shooting some power stations--JMHO but I think the issue of whether or not the crimes represent "terrorism" is pretty much settled.

Jesus. Atomwaffen is about as accelerationist as it gets.

 

[sds71]

Sarah Beth Clendaniel had held Nazi beliefs since she was age 13, and, in failing health and believing she had less than a year to live, decided she wanted to put her thoughts into action. Conspiring with a neo-Nazi leader, she put together a plan to take out power substations around the Baltimore region.

Even after pleading guilty to charges related to the foiled plot, federal prosecutors say the 36-year-old remained in contact with leaders of the so-called Terrorgram Collective while behind bars.

U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar scoffed when her defense attorney told him that it was her opinion that her client would not have followed through. He said she needed to be “incapacitated,” and sentenced her to 18 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release.

“As I sit here today, I’m not convinced the defendant isn’t ... capable of acting on that inclination,” Bredar said.

Woman sentenced to 18 years in neo-Nazi power grid attack plot

Sarah Beth Clendaniel had held Nazi beliefs since she was age 13, and, in failing health and believing she had less than a year to live, decided she wanted to put her thoughts into action. Conspiring with a neo-Nazi leader, she put together a plan to take out power substations around the...

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

 

[airportwoman]

Wow. The prime suspect is a WOMAN? Yikes.