Neo-Nazi Plot to Destroy Baltimore
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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Unraveling a Neo-Nazi Conspiracy
In February 2023, the city of Baltimore, a vibrant, majority-Black metropolis, narrowly escaped a catastrophic attack. Authorities arrested two white supremacists who had meticulously plotted to cripple the city by destroying its power grid. This audacious scheme involved orchestrating “sniper attacks” on electrical substations surrounding Baltimore (baltimoresun.com). The mastermind behind this sinister plot, Brandon Russell, the founder of the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, recently received a 20-year prison sentence. His co-conspirator, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, had already been sentenced to 18 years for her role in the conspiracy.
The severity of Russell's sentence, exceeding Clendaniel's, reflects his greater culpability. Judge James Bredar noted that Russell provided the “intellectual horsepower” that propelled the plot toward execution. The judge emphasized that Russell and Clendaniel aimed to establish a “bizarre utopia” populated exclusively by individuals who shared their appearance and beliefs. This vision, Bredar asserted, directly contradicts the principles of American law, which does not permit societal change through violent overthrow. Russell's sentence includes a lifetime of supervised release, with stringent monitoring of his electronic devices, underscoring the court's determination to prevent future extremist activities.
The Atomwaffen Division: A Dangerous Ideology
Brandon Russell is not just a convicted plotter; he is the founder and leader of the Atomwaffen Division, a notorious neo-Nazi group (cbsnews.com). This organization is characterized by its extremist ideology and its leader's long-standing encouragement of attacks on critical infrastructure. Authorities revealed that Russell had been advocating for assaults on electrical substations for years, even offering guidance on how to inflict maximum damage (thebaltimorebanner.com). His previous conviction in 2018 for possessing explosives further highlights his dangerous pattern of behavior and unwavering commitment to extremist beliefs (cbsnews.com).
The Atomwaffen Division's activities extend beyond this specific plot, though the details of their broader operations are not fully public. Russell's history, including his arrest in 2017 after a double homicide at his residence, underscores the violent potential associated with the group. While his attorney in the 2018 case argued that Russell's possession of explosives did not imply intent to harm and cited mental health issues, the recent conviction demonstrates a clear and present danger. The group's focus on attacking infrastructure aligns with a broader extremist tactic aimed at destabilizing society and creating chaos.
The Mechanics of a “Cascading Failure”
The plot against the Baltimore power grid was designed to cause a “cascading failure” (justice.gov). This technical term refers to a scenario where attacks on a few key substations could trigger widespread power outages. Russell explicitly discussed how hitting multiple stations simultaneously would maximize the impact, leading to a domino effect across the grid (cbsnews.com). Such an event would not only disrupt daily life but also pose significant risks to public safety, affecting hospitals, emergency services, and communication networks.
The conspirators' targets were electrical substations, which are crucial components of the energy infrastructure (thebaltimorebanner.com). These facilities are vulnerable points in the power grid, and their destruction could indeed lead to extensive blackouts. The intended monetary loss from these planned attacks was estimated to exceed $75 million (justice.gov). While the exact calculation of this figure is not detailed, it likely encompasses repair costs, economic disruption, and the broader societal impact of a prolonged power outage in a major metropolitan area.
Understanding Cascading Failure
Cascading failure in a power grid occurs when the failure of one component triggers the failure of others, leading to a widespread blackout. This can happen if a few key substations are attacked, causing a domino effect across the entire system.
The Role of Encrypted Communications
Russell and Clendaniel relied heavily on encrypted communication applications (ECA) to plan their attacks (justice.gov). Encryption is a critical tool for clandestine communications, as it makes it significantly more difficult for law enforcement to monitor and intercept messages. Russell used these encrypted platforms to share maps of infrastructure, including the precise locations of electrical substations (cbsnews.com). This method allowed them to coordinate their efforts with a degree of secrecy, believing their plans would remain hidden from authorities.
However, their reliance on encryption did not ultimately protect them. Authorities successfully uncovered the plot through the use of a confidential human source (CHS-1) (justice.gov). This informant communicated directly with both Russell and Clendaniel, gaining insight into their discussions about the planned substation attack. The investigation revealed that the plans began to solidify on January 12, 2023, when the CHS-1 and Russell discussed working with Clendaniel to “maximize impact” by coordinating simultaneous strikes on multiple substations (justice.gov). Clendaniel, using the moniker “Nythra88,” confirmed her support for the attack to the CHS-1, and these conversations continued for several days, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution.
Sarah Beth Clendaniel's Involvement
Sarah Beth Clendaniel, Russell's co-conspirator, played a significant role in the plot. She was recruited by Russell to carry out the attacks in Baltimore and identified five specific substations as targets (justice.gov). Clendaniel communicated her intent to “completely destroy this whole city” in a message to a confidential source (baltimoresun.com). Russell even attempted to secure a weapon for her to facilitate the attacks (justice.gov).
Despite her initial fervor, Clendaniel later expressed doubts about going through with the plans, admitting she began to worry about the potential for fatalities from power outages (washingtonpost.com). Her attorney highlighted a history of trauma, including physical abuse and homelessness, suggesting that a lack of positive relationships and interventions contributed to her involvement (thebaltimorebanner.com). Nevertheless, Clendaniel was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for her role in conspiring to destroy the Baltimore region power grid (justice.gov).
Key Details of the Power Grid Plot
The Broader Impact on Baltimore
The planned attack on Baltimore's power grid carried immense potential for devastation, particularly for a city with a significant Black population. The estimated monetary loss exceeding $75 million only scratches the surface of the potential impact (justice.gov). Clendaniel herself acknowledged that hitting specific substation targets around Baltimore “would completely destroy this whole city” (washingtonpost.com). Such an event would have plunged homes, businesses, and essential services into darkness, leading to widespread disruption and potential loss of life, especially among vulnerable populations.
Beyond the immediate chaos, a prolonged power outage would have crippled the local economy, disrupted supply chains, and severely impacted public health and safety. The psychological toll on residents, already grappling with various societal challenges, would have been immense. The fact that this plot targeted a majority-Black city by a neo-Nazi group underscores the racial animus driving such extremist actions, aiming to inflict maximum suffering on communities they despise.
Russell's Troubled Past and Defense Arguments
Brandon Russell's history includes a significant prior conviction. In 2018, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession of an unregistered destructive device and improper storage of explosive materials (cnn.com). This arrest occurred in 2017 after a double homicide at an apartment where Russell resided with the alleged suspect and two victims (cbsnews.com). His attorney at the time argued that Russell's possession of explosives did not indicate an intent to cause harm and that he was traumatized by the deaths of his roommates, suffering from mental health issues (cnn.com).
During the recent trial, Russell's attorney, Ian Goldstein, attempted to portray Clendaniel as the greater threat, arguing that Russell was merely “talk” and had no plans to travel to Maryland (cnn.com). Goldstein also presented arguments about Russell's “somewhat complicated psycho-social history” and suggested mental health challenges contributed to his descent into Nazism. However, Judge Bredar was not swayed by these arguments, recognizing Russell's foundational role in the neo-Nazi group and his active encouragement of the power grid attacks. The judge acknowledged Russell's background but ultimately recommended mental health treatment during his incarceration, emphasizing the severity of his crimes.
Comparison of Sentences
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
