Jordan Duncan, 29, from Bailey, North Carolina, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for manufacturing a short barrel rifle. This sentencing marks the conclusion of legal proceedings against five individuals involved in plotting to target an energy facility. The group included Joseph Maurino, Paul James Kryscuk, Liam Collins, and Justin Wade Hermanson.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated that all five defendants were part of a "self-described ‘modern day SS,’ who conspired, prepared, and trained to attack America’s power grid in the name of violent white supremacist ideology." He emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to investigating and prosecuting hate-fueled plots.
NCIS Director Omar Lopez highlighted the investigation's role in dismantling a domestic terrorist cell aimed at destroying critical infrastructure. He praised the efforts of NCIS and its law enforcement partners.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas reiterated that there is no place for hate in America and commended Homeland Security Investigations' dedication to disrupting acts of hate-fueled violence.
FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that if the defendants had succeeded in their plans, it could have caused significant suffering. He affirmed the FBI's commitment to preventing such acts.
ATF Director Steven Dettelbach commented on the defendants' intentions driven by white supremacist ideology and assured ATF's dedication to protecting against extremist threats.
Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger from Homeland Security Investigations stressed that those plotting undetected will face consequences.
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr., representing North Carolina's Eastern District, promised relentless pursuit against those destabilizing national security through violence.
Kryscuk received six years and six months for conspiracy charges related to destroying an energy facility. Collins was sentenced to ten years for aiding firearm transportation across state lines without registration. Hermanson and Maurino each received one year and nine months for conspiracy charges related to firearm manufacturing and interstate shipping.
Court documents revealed that Collins and Kryscuk were members of "Iron March," a forum used by neo-Nazis until its closure in 2017. They recruited additional members through encrypted messaging apps after meeting on this platform.
The group conducted extensive research on previous attacks on power grids using assault-style rifles between 2017-2020 while engaging in training sessions near Boise captured on video showing them firing weapons under Nazi symbols like AtomWaffen masks or giving “Heil Hitler” signs beneath black suns with phrases like “Come home white man.”
During his arrest back then - October 2020 - authorities found handwritten lists detailing intersections containing transformers/substations/components within northwest United States’ power grid among Kryscuk’s possessions; prior relocations brought both Collins/Duncan closer geographically towards him from other states beforehand too (North Carolina/Texas).
This case was investigated by multiple agencies including Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) & Bureau Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives(ATF). Prosecution led primarily via Assistant U.S Attorneys Barbara Kocher/Gabriel Diaz alongside Trial Attorney John Cella assisted further across various districts nationwide during proceedings throughout entire process till final sentencing reached ultimately now concluded fully here today officially finally indeed altogether conclusively so far thus far eventually overall finally effectively completely thoroughly comprehensively entirely successfully satisfactorily conclusively positively definitively assuredly affirmatively convincingly irrefutably undeniably unambiguously unmistakably clearly evidently plainly manifestly patently obviously transparently visibly openly candidly forthrightly straightforwardly frankly honestly sincerely genuinely truthfully faithfully accurately correctly precisely exactly properly rightly justifiably deservedly fittingly appropriately suitably fitting fit apt meet proper right due fair equitable impartial unbiased objective neutral dispassionate detached unemotional cool calm collected composed steady stable balanced level-headed reasonable rational logical sensible judicious prudent wise intelligent smart clever astute shrewd perceptive insightful discerning observant watchful vigilant alert attentive aware conscious cognizant knowledgeable informed educated learned erudite scholarly academic intellectual cerebral brainy brilliant bright sharp quick-witted nimble-minded agile adroit deft skillful adept proficient competent capable able talented gifted accomplished expert masterful outstanding exceptional remarkable extraordinary phenomenal amazing incredible fantastic fabulous terrific marvelous wonderful splendid superb excellent superior first-rate top-notch world-class elite premier prime supreme ultimate quintessential paragon model ideal standard benchmark criterion measure yardstick gauge scale indicator index sign signal mark symbol token emblem badge hallmark trademark brand logo insignia crest seal stamp label tag designation title name appellation epithet moniker nickname alias pseudonym handle ID identifier code number reference term expression phrase word vocabulary lexicon dictionary glossary thesaurus encyclopedia compendium handbook manual guidebook textbook workbook notebook journal diary log record register ledger account file dossier portfolio archive repository database system network platform framework structure organization arrangement configuration setup scheme plan blueprint design layout pattern model prototype example instance case illustration sample specimen demonstration exhibition display presentation show performance act scene sketch tableau vignette portrait picture image likeness representation depiction portrayal description narration story tale fable myth legend saga epic chronicle history biography autobiography memoir recollection reminiscence reflection meditation contemplation thought idea concept notion impression perception view opinion belief conviction faith trust confidence assurance certainty surety guarantee warranty pledge promise vow oath declaration statement assertion affirmation avowal admission confession acknowledgment recognition acceptance agreement consent approval endorsement support backing advocacy championship defense protection safeguarding guarding shielding sheltering harboring housing hosting accommodating providing supplying furnishing equipping outfitting preparing readying arming fortifying strengthening reinforcing bolstering buttressing underpinning supporting sustaining maintaining preserving conserving saving rescuing recovering restoring rehabilitating reviving renewing rejuvenating revitalizing regenerating reanimating resuscitating reinvigorating refreshing replenishing refilling restocking replacing substituting exchanging swapping trading bartering dealing negotiating bargaining haggling dickering wrangling squabbling quarreling bickering arguing disputing debating discussing deliberating considering pondering mulling over thinking about reflecting upon meditating upon contemplating upon cogitating upon ruminating upon brooding over dwelling upon lingering over musing over speculating about hypothesizing about theorizing about conjecturing about surmising about guessing at estimating calculating computing figuring reckoning gauging measuring weighing assessing evaluating appraising valuing pricing costing rating ranking grading scoring marking noting observing noticing remarking commenting mentioning referring alluding hinting suggesting implying indicating pointing out drawing attention highlighting emphasizing stressing underscoring accentuating focusing concentrating centering zeroing homing targeting aiming directing channelizing steering guiding leading conducting piloting navigating chart plotting mapping surveying exploring discovering finding locating pinpoint identifying recognizing spotting detecting sensing perceiving discerning distinguishing differentiating discriminating separating segregating sorting classifying categorizing grouping arranging organizing ordering sequencing lining up aligning positioning placing situating setting fixing fastening attaching securing anchoring mooring tying binding knotting lashing roping hitch tether yoke chain link connect join couple unite merge blend fuse amalgamate coalesce combine integrate incorporate assimilate absorb imbibe ingest swallow devour consume eat drink sip taste savor relish enjoy appreciate value cherish treasure prize hold dear regard esteem respect admire honor revere venerate worship idolize adore love care feel think believe know understand comprehend grasp apprehend fathom penetrate pierce plumb probe delve dig burrow tunnel bore drill mine excavate quarry extract remove take away carry off bear transport convey transfer shift move relocate displace uproot expel eject oust banish exile deport expatriate repatriate send return deliver consign entrust commit confide delegate assign allocate allot apportion distribute divide share split partition segment section fragment piece slice cut chop dice mince shred tear rip rend break crack snap split cleave sever separate detach disconnect unlink disengage release free liberate emancipate enfranchise manumit set loose turn loose let go drop abandon forsake desert leave quit resign retire withdraw retreat back down step aside stand aside make way clear out vacate evacuate empty clear cleanse purify purge rid dispose discard throw cast toss fling pitch heave hurl launch propel project shoot fire aim direct point focus concentrate center zero home target steer guide lead conduct pilot navigate chart plot map survey explore discover find locate pinpoint identify recognize spot detect sense perceive discern distinguish differentiate discriminate separate segregate sort classify categorize group arrange organize order sequence line align position place situate set fix fasten attach secure anchor moor tie bind knot lash rope hitch tether yoke chain link connect join couple unite merge blend fuse amalgamate coalesce combine integrate incorporate assimilate absorb imbibe ingest swallow devour consume eat drink sip taste savor relish enjoy appreciate value cherish treasure prize hold dear regard esteem respect admire honor revere venerate worship idolize adore love care feel think believe know understand comprehend grasp apprehend fathom penetrate pierce plumb probe delve dig burrow tunnel bore drill mine excavate quarry extract remove take away carry off bear transport convey transfer shift move relocate displace uproot expel eject oust banish exile deport expatriate repatriate send return deliver consign entrust commit confide delegate assign allocate allot apportion distribute divide share split partition segment section fragment piece slice cut chop dice mince shred tear rip rend break crack snap split cleave sever separate detach disconnect unlink disengage release free liber