Authorities have uncovered the identity of Skyler Philippi, 24, the suspect in the Nashville drone attack plot. In court documents, the suspect appeared in court wearing a skull mask and displayed a homemade bomb used in a failed plot to blow up Music City's power grid.
The suspect is accused of plotting to blow up a power plant with a bomb-laden drone, which authorities said was “powered up” when they arrested him in a parking lot near the target. I am doing it.
Federal prosecutors will ask a judge to order him jailed while awaiting trial at a Nov. 13 hearing, arguing that “the following conditions or combinations do not exist.” [bail] This condition reasonably ensures the safety of others and the community. ”
FBI thwarts man's plan to attack Nashville power grid with explosives-laden drone
Skylar Robert Philippi, 24, in the Nashville mugshot, is wearing the same skeleton shirt he wore while posing with an alleged bomb during the Music City power grid bombing plot. are. (Metropolitan Nashville Police Department)
Prosecutors have called Philippi an “accelerationist,” which the Anti-Defamation League defines as “a term given by white supremacists to the desire to hasten the collapse of society as we know it.” Its roots go back to Marxism.
“If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high-economy, high-tax, political zones in every big city,” Philippi said in a text message to a government informant, according to the criminal complaint. I'm writing.
The informant then introduced him to two undercover FBI agents who helped foil the plot before a drone carrying a live bomb took off.
According to the complaint, Philippi allegedly discussed the YMCA shooting and train derailment with anti-Semitic motives.
Prosecutors say a selfie shows Skylar Philippi and two undercover agents posing with a bomb intended for his plot to blow up the Nashville power grid. . Philippi on the right is wearing the same shirt in his mug shot. (Ministry of Justice)
The indictment alleges that Philippi had past ties to white supremacist groups, claimed that the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were carried out by “Jews,” and told another informant that he was in Kentucky. He said he got into a shootout with a black man in Rouseyville, state.
He researched past attacks on the power grid and concluded that damaging more than eight power plants at once would devastate the country, so he planned to use homemade drones loaded with explosives. It is said that it was erected.
When the FBI moved to arrest him, they found a drone and live ammunition in the back seat of his car, according to the criminal complaint. Shortly before that, he is said to have given a gun to one of the informants he intended to keep watch on.
FBI arrests man and woman with 'extremist' views on suspicion of plotting power grid attack targeting five electrical substations
Federal prosecutors said Skylar Philippi was photographed meeting with undercover agents to test fly a drone in a vacant lot near Franklin, Tennessee. (Ministry of Justice)
Joe Carrico, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville Field Office, said in a statement: “As alleged, the defendants in this case conducted an extensive search for explosives and potential targets in order to launch attacks on critical infrastructure. “I did it,” he said. “The FBI is committed to doing everything in its power to detect, deter, and thwart attacks by domestic violent extremists, and we will continue to pursue those who seek to commit acts of violence to advance their ideological beliefs.” I'll follow up.”
Philippi is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility.
He has not yet entered a plea.
please read criminal charges:
FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement: “Moved by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology, the defendants attacked the power grid with drones and explosives, killing thousands of Americans, hospitals, etc. “The plan was to cut power to critical infrastructure across the country,” he said.
“Thanks to the swift work of the FBI, we were able to discover and thwart the defendant's plot before he could cause any harm. We are committed to holding accountable those who seek to harm American society through their principles.”
