Neo-Nazi Leader Faces Sentencing for Planned Attack on Power Grid

A federal jury has found a self-identified neo-Nazi leader guilty of conspiring to attack electrical infrastructure in Maryland, a plan that could have resulted in widespread blackouts. The defendant, whose beliefs align with the "National Socialist" ideology, admitted to targeting racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQIA community, and U.S. government institutions.

The defendant, known as Russell, has already served a portion of his sentence and is currently under supervised release. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to damage an energy facility. In addition to the conspiracy charge, he pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered destructive device and improper storage of explosive materials.

Russell's plans involved targeting transformers within Maryland's electrical substations, with the intent to create a "cascading failure" in the power grid. He noted that attacks could be particularly effective "when there is greatest strain on the grid," like during extreme weather conditions when "everyone is using electricity to either heat or cool their homes."

The plan was allegedly devised with assistance from Sarah Beth Clendaniel, who has already been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison along with a lifetime of supervised release. In discussions about their intentions, Clendaniel stated that their actions could "probably permanently completely lay this city to waste if we could do that successfully."

The six-day trial revealed Russell's history of extremist beliefs and actions. In 2017, he led a neo-Nazi group while living with three roommates, two of whom bullied him for being Muslim. His group's activities were characterized by targeting marginalized communities and critical infrastructure.

Russell's lawyer has declined to comment on the case, leaving the focus on what impact this conviction may have on future cases involving domestic terrorism. Senior United States District Judge James K. Bredar is tasked with determining Russell's sentencing, which could reinforce the federal government's stance against hate-driven violence.