A federal jury in Baltimore has found Brandon Russell, a 29-year-old resident of Orlando, Florida, guilty of conspiring to damage an energy facility. The verdict follows a six-day trial and was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with William J. DelBagno, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office.
Erek L. Barron stated, "Hate-fueled violence has no place in a civilized society. Brandon Russell went well beyond his First Amendment rights, orchestrating a terrorist plot that would have harmed thousands of innocent people." He emphasized the commitment to justice by saying, "It won’t always be popular, but this office will do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason."
William J. DelBagno commented on Russell's actions: "Brandon Russell, a self-proclaimed National Socialist, conspired to 'lay waste to the city of Baltimore’ through violence and destruction of critical infrastructure." He praised the efforts of FBI Baltimore’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and affirmed their ongoing dedication to public safety.
The trial revealed that from November 2022 to February 3, 2023, Russell planned attacks on electrical substations as part of his extremist beliefs. He recruited Sarah Beth Clendaniel from Maryland to execute these plans in Baltimore and elsewhere. Their aim was to disrupt the regional power grid significantly with an estimated monetary loss exceeding $75 million.
Russell faces up to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy charges related to damaging an energy facility. Senior U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar will determine his sentence based on various legal guidelines. Clendaniel was previously sentenced on September 25, 2024, receiving an 18-year prison term followed by lifetime supervised release for her role in the conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Barron acknowledged several law enforcement agencies for their contributions during the investigation and prosecution process.
For further details about resources available through the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office or reporting hate crimes in Maryland, individuals are encouraged to visit their official website or contact local authorities.