Plot to Attack U.S. Power Grid Foiled: Three White Supremacists Sentenced
Three men with alleged ties to white supremacist groups have been sentenced to prison for plotting a racially motivated attack on the U.S. power grid that was ultimately foiled by federal agents. The sentencing of these individuals marks a significant victory in the fight against domestic terrorism.
Sentences Handed Down:
On Thursday, 25-year-old Liam Collins of Rhode Island was sentenced to 10 years in prison for aiding and abetting the interstate transportation of an unregistered firearm. Additionally, 38-year-old Paul James G. Paul James Kryscuk from Idaho received a sentence of six years and six months for conspiring to destroy energy facilities. Meanwhile, 25-year-old Justin Wade Hermanson from North Carolina is awaiting a 21-month prison sentence for conspiracy to manufacture and transport firearms across state lines.
Details of the Conspiracy:
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that the defendants researched and planned attacks on critical infrastructure, including transformers and substations. Their intent was to sow terror and advance their violent white supremacist ideology. The meticulous planning and preparation involved in this plot underscore the grave threat posed by domestic extremist groups in the United States.
Collins and Hermanson, who were both former members of the U.S. Marine Corps, were found to have connections to the “Iron March” neo-Nazi forum. This online platform served as a recruitment ground for individuals espousing white supremacist beliefs.
Investigators uncovered evidence of live-fire training and discussions on the use of firearms and explosives by the conspirators. The trio had identified multiple potential targets in Idaho and surrounding states, demonstrating a clear intent to cause widespread destruction and chaos.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding accountable those who seek to use violence to undermine democracy. The sentences handed down to these individuals reflect the severity of their crimes and the urgent need to combat violent extremism in all its forms.
