A Florida-based neo-Nazi group founder, Brandon Russell, was found guilty of conspiring with his former girlfriend, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, to plan an attack on Maryland's power grid in line with their racist beliefs. The plan involved carrying out sniper attacks on electrical substations around Baltimore to create chaos in the majority-Black city. Fortunately, the two were arrested before executing their plans.
Russell, 29, co-founded the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division and had a history of involvement with extremist ideologies. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of explosive materials and improper storage. During the recent trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Russell encouraging Clendaniel to obtain firearms for the attack, aiming to incite a race war.
Despite the defense attorney's argument that Russell was merely a supporter and not a co-conspirator, the jury found him guilty of conspiracy to damage an energy facility. The court proceedings revealed Russell's prior encounters with law enforcement, including a 2017 incident where police discovered explosive materials and neo-Nazi paraphernalia in his possession.
Clendaniel, 36, who had a history of White supremacist beliefs, pleaded guilty to her involvement in the attack plot and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The court records showed that she and Russell developed a romantic relationship through letters exchanged while incarcerated in separate facilities.
Russell's sentencing is pending, and his past conviction for possession of explosive materials resulted in a five-year prison term. The case highlights the dangers of extremist ideologies and the potential for individuals to act on their beliefs, posing threats to public safety and security.
