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A Tennessee man faces federal charges for allegedly plotting to blow up a Nashville energy facility, an attack that if successful could have left thousands without power, the Justice Department said Monday.
Skyler Philippi, 24, was arrested November 2 when he “believed he was moments away” from launching a drone armed with explosives at an electric substation in the Nashville area, according to a DOJ press release. He’s charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility.
CNN has reached out to Philippi’s attorney for comment.
Philippi’s plan was an attempt “to further his white supremacist ideology –– but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the press release.
“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,” Garland added.
A criminal complaint filed in US District Court alleges in June Philippi told a confidential source he wanted to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA facility in Columbia, Tennessee. In July, the complaint states, Philippi introduced the idea for the energy facility plot to another confidential source.
The complaint alleges Philippi was motivated by “accelerationist ideology,” which is “a white-supremacist belief that the existing state of society is irreparable and that the only solution is the destruction and collapse of the ‘system.’”
In a July text exchange with a confidential source Philippi said: “if you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis,” according to the complaint.
In September, accompanied by undercover FBI agents posing as accomplices, Philippi allegedly conducted “a reconnaissance of the substation.” He also ordered explosive materials from undercover agents and discussed plans for disguises, the complaint states.
On November 2 undercover agents accompanied Philippi to the site where he planned to carry out the attack and acted as his ”lookouts” while he attached explosives to the drone in the back of his car, the complaint alleges. Minutes before the planned attack, law enforcement agents arrested Philippi.
Philippi is expected to appear in federal court on November 13.
