Tennessee Man Charged For Plans To Use Weapon Of Mass Destruction To Destroy Nashville Energy Facility

Image: Skyler Philippi allegedly plotted to destroy a power substation in Nashville, Tennessee. Image Credit: U.S. Department of Justice & Metro Nashville Police Department

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

A Columbia man faces federal charges after allegedly trying to demolish a Nashville energy facility using a weapon of mass destruction.

According to the Department of Justice, 24-year-old Skyler Philippi had plans to fly a drone loaded with explosives into the energy substation. 

A confidential source told the DOJ that Philippi stated that launching an attack on several substations would “shock the system” and cause a malfunction to occur at other locations. Philippi had done substantial research on prior attacks on electric substations in order to arrive at his plan.

“As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility…but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” stated Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Philippi was dedicated to “the destruction of our critical infrastructure.” 

In September, Philippi went with several undercover FBI agents to a substation that he had already researched to conduct reconnaissance. On the way to that facility, he placed an order for C-4, a plastic explosive composition, along with other explosives.

The DOJ says he later bought black powder used for making pipe bombs.

As Philippi shared his plan with what he thought were his confidantes, he gave them instructions on what to wear, including leather gloves and shoes that were too large for them. He also told them not to bring their cell phones when they planned to attack and to be ready to burn their clothes afterwards.

On November 2, Philippi allegedly performed a Nordic ritual in a Nashville hotel before telling undercover agents that “this is where the New Age begins.” He told them that it was “time to do something big” so they could be remembered “in the annals of history.” He and some of the other undercover agents put on masks and took photos with the explosives.

Philippi was arrested when the group arrived at the location. Officers say he was sitting in the back of a vehicle with the drone powered on and the explosive device armed. 

He is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility and is scheduled to be back in court on November 13.

He faces up to life in prison if convicted.