Tennessee man arrested for planning to destroy Nashville power plant

CNN
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A Tennessee man faces federal charges for allegedly plotting to blow up a power plant in Nashville, an attack that could have left thousands without power if successful, the Justice Department said Monday.

Skyler Philippi, 24, was arrested on November 2. “He believed he was a few minutes away.” as a drone rigged with explosives was launched into a Nashville-area electrical substation, according to a Department of Justice press release. He is accused of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility.

CNN has reached out to Philippi’s attorney for comment.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Philippi’s plan was “an attempt to further his white supremacist ideology, but the FBI had already compromised his plan.” Press release.

“This case serves as another warning to those who attack our country’s critical infrastructure and sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred: The Department of Justice will find you, we will foil your conspiracy, and we will hold you accountable,” Garland said. added.

A. criminal complaint Philippi told a confidential source he wanted to stage a mass shooting at a YMCA facility in Columbia, Tennessee, allegations filed in U.S. District Court in June say. The complaint states that in July, Philippi pitched the idea for the power plant plan to another confidential source.

The complaint alleges that Philippi was motivated by “accelerationist ideology”; this ideology is “a white supremacist belief that the current state of society is irreparable and that the only solution is the destruction and collapse of ‘the system’.”

In a text exchange with a confidential source in July, Philippi said: “If you want to do the most damage as an accelerator, attack high economic, high tax and political areas in every major metropolitan area,” according to the complaint.

Philippi allegedly conducted a “substation reconnaissance” in September, accompanied by undercover FBI agents posing as accomplices. The complaint also states that he ordered explosives from undercover agents and discussed disguise plans.

The complaint alleges that on Nov. 2, undercover agents escorted Philippi to the area where he planned to carry out the attack and acted as a “lookout” while Philippi planted explosives in a drone in the back of his car. Minutes before the planned attack, law enforcement arrested Philippi.

Philippi is expected to appear in federal court on November 13.