A catastrophic attack has been foiled…
The FBI stopped a Tennessee man from attempting to fly a drone packed with explosives into an energy facility with the intent to destroy the critical infrastructure.
In a press release, the DOJ said 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 B. Garland said. “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.”
The DOJ said Philippi told a confidential human source (CHS) in June, that he wanted to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA in the Columbia, Tennessee area.
According to the DOJ, Philippi researched previous attacks on electric substations, ultimately concluding that just using firearms was not enough. Instead, he planned to use a drone with explosives attached to it, and then fly the drone into a substation.
In September, Philippi allegedly went to a substation with undercover FBI employees that he had previously researched and conducted reconnaissance on.
While on the way, Philippi allegedly ordered C-4 and other explosives from the undercover employees, then later purchased black powder to put into pipe bombs. The DOJ said Philippi intended to use the pipe bombs during the attack on the substation.
He also allegedly texted the confidential source, “if you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.” Referring to the substation, Philippi stated, “Holy sh**. This will go up like a fu**in fourth of July firework.”
“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.”
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Philippi was charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
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what was the evidence he was a white supremacist?
Right! That’s what I’d like to know. Don’t hold your breath for a real answer to that.
Awaiting moderation? What does that mean? Garland SAID he was a white supremacist!!
Are you people stupid? GARLAND SAID IT!
Mighty skimpy on the details! For instance, what makes them think he is a ‘violent white supremacist ideology’? He could very well just as easily be an extreme Left-leaning person! We may never know, but it serves the purpose of trying to prevent Trump voters from voting!
He should be charged with TREASON and locked away for LIFE
And just who is it that says that this terrorist is a “white supremacist?” The FIB people? Maybe he is, but I wouldn’t take their word for that or anything else. Honesty, transparency and confirmation is NOT part of this current regime.