Federal court documents reveal a conspiracy to attack Baltimore’s electrical substations, allegedly masterminded by two individuals with extremist beliefs.
- Brandon Clint Russell and Sarah Beth Clendaniel were charged with conspiracy to damage energy facilities, driven by racially motivated intentions.
- The accused allegedly planned to cause maximum harm to Baltimore’s power grid, aiming to ‘completely destroy’ the city.
- Both Clendaniel and Russell have a history of criminal activity and extremist affiliations.
- The Justice Department’s investigation included recorded conversations and evidence of the pair’s detailed plans and intentions.
Two individuals, Brandon Clint Russell and Sarah Beth Clendaniel, have been charged with conspiracy to damage energy facilities, a scheme aimed at Baltimore’s electrical infrastructure. According to federal court documents, their extremist beliefs fuelled the plot, which sought to ‘completely destroy’ the city’s power grid.
Tom Sobocinski, head of the FBI’s Baltimore field office, stated, ‘The accused were not just talking, but taking steps to fulfill their threats and further their extremist goals.’ The charges come amidst growing concerns from domestic violence experts about the increasing trend of extremist groups targeting power facilities.
Russell, reportedly a neo-Nazi leader, and Clendaniel, with whom he had a personal relationship, communicated their intentions through various means. Clendaniel allegedly sought to ‘accomplish something worthwhile’ before succumbing to a terminal illness, indicating her resolve to carry out the attack.
During their investigation, the FBI recovered a document resembling a manifesto written by Clendaniel, referencing infamous figures such as Hitler and the Unabomber. Russell, already suspected of plotting similar attacks in Florida, communicated under the username ‘Homunculus’ and discussed attacking critical infrastructure as recently as 2022.
The investigation revealed that the accused had been communicating since 2018 while both were incarcerated. Russell was previously sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession of an unregistered device and improper storage of explosive materials, while Clendaniel was convicted in 2006 for armed robbery.
In December 2022, Russell shared a YouTube video about a substation attack in North Carolina with the FBI’s confidential source. Both Russell and Clendaniel discussed plans and sent information about the targeted facilities, demonstrating a consistent effort in planning the projected attack on Baltimore.
The charging documents also highlight the pair’s social media interactions. Clendaniel, using aliases such as ‘Nythra88’ and ‘Kali1889’, introduced herself to the FBI’s source and expressed her desire to obtain firearms. Meanwhile, ‘Homunculus’ (Russell) detailed potential methods of disrupting the power grid.
Legal proceedings have commenced, with Clendaniel pleading guilty to conspiracy to damage an energy facility and felony possession of a firearm, resulting in an 18-year prison sentence. Russell has pleaded not guilty and remains detained as the case progresses in the District of Maryland.
The serious charges against Russell and Clendaniel underscore the significant threat posed by domestic extremist plots to critical infrastructure.
