The FBI foiled a possible drone attack on an energy facility in Tennessee on Monday, the Justice Department announced, after a man allegedly planned to fly the drones packed with explosives into the plant, which would destroy critical infrastructure.
The Justice Department said the suspect, 24-year-old Skyler Philippi, was arrested and charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility.
"As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology – but the FBI had already compromised his plot," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country’s critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable."
He was caught with a drone powered up, and the explosive device armed and located next to the drone.
The DOJ said the man was already on law enforcement's radar, after he allegedly confided in a confidential human source (CHS) about his desire to carry out a mass shooting at a YMCA near Columbus, Ohio, in June. He also allegedly told another CHS in July about the potential impact of taking out large interstate substations, and researched previous attacks on electric substations, where he realized explosives would be more effective than guns.
He additionally went to a substation with undercover FBI employees for reconnaissance. He ordered C-4 and other explosives from the employees on the drive.
The suspect also engaged in a Nordic ritual on Nov. 2, and told undercover FBI employees that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.”
“Driven by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology, the Defendant planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, leaving thousands of Americans and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “The FBI’s swift work led to the detection and disruption of the defendant’s plot before he could cause any damage. We are committed to holding accountable anyone who threatens the security of our critical infrastructure or seeks to harm American communities through domestic violent extremism.”
