District of North Dakota Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl and District of South Dakota United States Attorney Alison Ramsdell have announced the sentencing of Cameron Monte Smith, a 50-year-old Canadian citizen. On March 10, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor sentenced Smith to 150 months in federal prison for two counts of destruction of an energy facility, with the sentences to be served consecutively for a total of 25 years. Smith will also serve three years of supervised release and pay $2,124,974.38 in restitution.
Smith pleaded guilty on September 11, 2024, admitting to damaging the Wheelock Substation near Ray, North Dakota in May 2023 and causing damage exceeding $100,000. The substation is operated by Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Additionally, Smith admitted to damaging a transformer and pump station of the Keystone Pipeline near Carpenter, South Dakota in July 2022 with damages also exceeding $100,000.
Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl stated that "this sentence serves as a reminder that the Department of Justice will use all its resources to investigate and aggressively prosecute any attack on our critical civilian infrastructures." She commended law enforcement partners and prosecutors for their efforts in bringing Smith to justice.
Alison J. Ramsdell emphasized that "this substantial sentence reflects the commitment" to prosecuting those who disrupt or destroy critical energy infrastructure. She added that it should serve as a warning against interference with such infrastructure.
ATF Special Agent Travis S. Riddle noted that as a Canadian, Smith was prohibited from possessing firearms in the U.S., highlighting exceptions only for activities like hunting or shooting sports. He remarked on the satisfaction with the sentencing following Smith's guilty plea.
Special Agent Alvin M. Winston Sr. from FBI Minneapolis commented on Smith's targeted attacks using a high-powered rifle which caused significant damage and power outages: "Attacks on our critical infrastructure threaten the security and daily lives of all Americans."
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Williams County Sheriff's Office; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; Clark County Sheriff's Department; Beadle County Sheriff's Department; along with several Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Trial Attorneys from various divisions.