Sarah Beth Clendaniel and Brandon Russell: Orlando man and GF allegedly plotted to 'completely destroy' Baltimore power grid
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Authorities have foiled an alleged plot to attack the power grid in Baltimore, Maryland after two suspects were taken into custody on Monday, February 6, announced local officials and federal investigators. Sarah Beth Clendaniel, of Maryland, and Brandon Russell, of Florida, were the two accused identified by the officials who conspired to shoot at energy substations in Norrisville, Reisterstown, and Perry Hall. Clendaniel, who allegedly shared her plans with an informant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was planning the move with Russell.
As per federal authorities, she admitted to having “personal as well as online relationships." Russell maintains a close connection with racist groups and Nazi beliefs and has earlier planned to attack US infrastructure systems, as per a recent criminal complaint filed in Maryland district court. The co-accused is also a founder of a ‘terrorist neo-nazi organization’ called Atomwaffen Division, as per Southern Poverty Law Center.
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#BREAKING: A Catonsville woman and Florida man described as "racially and ethnically motivated extremists" are charged with conspiring to attack Baltimore's power grid by shooting substations in the area, the FBI said. https://t.co/2u9OsFctiT
— WJZ | CBS Baltimore (@wjz) February 6, 2023
What led to the arrest of Brandon and Sarah?
A federal investigation led to the arrest of one of his former roommates, who was held for killing two other roommates in 2017. He revealed neo-Nazi paraphernalia, a photograph of the Oklahoma City bomber, and explosives that were owned by Russell. The following year, 2017=8, he was sent to 5 years behind the bars for possessing lethal bomb-making materials at his Florida residence. The complaint filed last week comprises a photo of woman authorities established as Clendaniel, wearing tactical gear and carrying a rifle, according to CBS News.
'Racially or ethnically motivated extremists'
The FBI describes suspects as "racially or ethnically motivated extremists,” where Russell is believed to be the mastermind allegedly providing instructions and location details to Clandaniel. Russell reportedly referred to the planned attack on power transformers in Baltimore as "the greatest thing somebody can do. Thomas Sobocinski, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore field office said, “The accused were not just talking, but taking steps to fulfill their threats and further their extremist goals." The officer also revealed that in Clendaniel’s words, their planned attack "would lay this city to waste."
Erek Barron, the US Attorney for the District of Maryland said the suspects intend to "completely destroy" the city of Baltimore. Sobocinski clarified that the attacks carried out on power substations in several states have no connection with an alleged plot to hit Baltimore’s electrical grid. Though the foiled plot was not a copycat crime, he added that "the investigation continues."
