Man arrested after he allegedly sought to destroy Nashville power site
NASHVILLE, Tennessee: A Tennessee man with ties to white nationalist groups who attempted to use what he believed to be an explosive-laden drone to destroy a Nashville energy facility was arrested by federal agents this week.
According to court documents, Skyler Philippi, 24, is accused of planning to attach several pounds of C-4 explosives to an aerial drone with the intent of destroying an electric substation in Nashville.
The newly unsealed court records indicate that Philippi allegedly expressed to an FBI confidential source in July his intent to attack multiple power substations to "shock the system." The source then introduced Philippi to an undercover FBI agent who, along with others, began gathering information on his plans.
Philippi reportedly claimed affiliation with various white nationalist and extremist groups, including the National Alliance, which promotes the eradication of Jewish people and other races. Such groups have increasingly viewed attacks on the U.S. power grid as a strategy for disrupting the country.
The U.S. grid comprises over 6,400 power plants and 450,000 miles of high-voltage lines, a critical infrastructure for the nation.
In September, Philippi shared parts of his so-called manifesto with undercover agents, with its contents reportedly focused on preserving the white race.
On November 2, he and the undercover agents drove to his planned launch site in Nashville, where they prepared to operate a drone that Philippi believed was equipped with 3 pounds of C-4, which authorities say was supplied by the undercover agents.
Law enforcement agents arrested Philippi shortly after arriving at the site.
A federal public defender was appointed to represent Philippi, and the attorney was contacted for comment. Philippi is expected to appear in court on November 13.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee: A Tennessee man with ties to white nationalist groups who attempted to use what he believed to be an explosive-laden drone to destroy a Nashville energy facility was arrested by federal agents this week.
According to court documents, Skyler Philippi, 24, is accused of planning to attach several pounds of C-4 explosives to an aerial drone with the intent of destroying an electric substation in Nashville.
The newly unsealed court records indicate that Philippi allegedly expressed to an FBI confidential source in July his intent to attack multiple power substations to "shock the system." The source then introduced Philippi to an undercover FBI agent who, along with others, began gathering information on his plans.
Philippi reportedly claimed affiliation with various white nationalist and extremist groups, including the National Alliance, which promotes the eradication of Jewish people and other races. Such groups have increasingly viewed attacks on the U.S. power grid as a strategy for disrupting the country.
The U.S. grid comprises over 6,400 power plants and 450,000 miles of high-voltage lines, a critical infrastructure for the nation.
In September, Philippi shared parts of his so-called manifesto with undercover agents, with its contents reportedly focused on preserving the white race.
On November 2, he and the undercover agents drove to his planned launch site in Nashville, where they prepared to operate a drone that Philippi believed was equipped with 3 pounds of C-4, which authorities say was supplied by the undercover agents.
Law enforcement agents arrested Philippi shortly after arriving at the site.
A federal public defender was appointed to represent Philippi, and the attorney was contacted for comment. Philippi is expected to appear in court on November 13.
