A 24-year-old Tennessee man, Skyler Philippi, has been arrested and charged with attempting to destroy a Nashville energy facility using an explosives-laden drone, The Associated Press reports.
According to court documents unsealed on Monday, Philippi, with ties to white nationalist groups, allegedly planned to attack the substation with the intent of “shocking the system.”
Philippi allegedly confided in a confidential source working with the FBI in July, revealing his desire to attack multiple substations. The source introduced Philippi to an undercover FBI employee, who, along with other undercover agents, gathered information about the plan.
The FBI investigation revealed that Philippi had researched previous attacks on electric substations, concluding that firearms wouldn’t be sufficient. Instead, he planned to use a drone rigged with explosives and fly it into the substation.
Philippi reportedly told undercover officials he was associated with various white nationalist and extremist groups, including the National Alliance, known for its calls to eliminate Jewish and other races. Such extremist groups have increasingly targeted the US power grid as a means of disrupting the nation.
In September, Philippi provided undercover agents with excerpts of his “manifesto,” which heavily focused on preserving the white race.
On Saturday, Philippi and undercover employees drove to the intended launch site in Nashville, preparing to fly a drone Philippi believed was carrying 3 pounds of C-4. The explosives were actually provided by the undercover employees.
Law enforcement agents arrested Philippi shortly after arriving at the site.
Philippi is currently represented by a federal public defender. A request for comment has been sent to the attorney. Philippi is scheduled to appear in court on November 13.
