NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – A Tennessee man faces federal charges after he allegedly attempted to use a weapon of mass destruction in an attempt to destroy a Nashville energy facility, according to the Department of Justice.

Skyler Philippi, 24, allegedly told a confidential human source about his desire to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA facility in Columbia in June 2024. The Justice Department explains that he also told another confidential human source about the impact of attacking large interstate substations and said that attacking multiple substations would “shock the system,” causing other substations to malfunction.

Philippi allegedly investigated previous attacks on electrical substations and concluded that shooting them would not be enough. The Justice Department added that it planned to use a drone with explosives attached and fly the drone to the substation. WSMV Reports.

“According to the charges, Skyler Philippi believed he was about to launch an attack on a Nashville energy facility to promote his violent white supremacist ideology, but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

“As alleged in today’s charges, Skyler Philippi, a man dedicated to white supremacist ideology and the destruction of our critical infrastructure, planned to attack Nashville’s power grid using a drone carrying an explosive device. Thanks to the brave work of the FBI, their plan was thwarted,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

In September 2024, Philippi He drove with undercover FBI employees to an electrical substation previously investigated and attacked by him and Philippi conducted a reconnaissance of the substation. The Justice Department alleges that while driving, he ordered undercover employees a plastic explosive composition known as C-4 and other explosives.

He later allegedly purchased black powder to use in homemade bombs, which Philippi intended to use during the attack. The Justice Department said it contacted another confidential human source: “If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high-tax political and economic zones in every major metropolis.”

Referring to the substation, the Justice Department alleges that Philippi said: “Holy cow. “This is going to go off like some damn Fourth of July fireworks.”

Philippi also allegedly discussed operational security, including the need for disguises, the use of leather gloves, the wearing of oversized shoes, the need to burn clothing after the attack, and not carrying smartphones on the night of the attack.

Then, on November 2, 2024, he participated in a Norse ritual, which included reciting a Norse prayer and speaking about the Norse god Odin. Philippi allegedly told the undercover employees that “this is where the New Era begins” and that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.”

The Justice Department explained that it and undercover employees headed to the scene of the operation. The undercover agents moved to their assigned positions as Philippi lookouts. That’s when he was detained by law enforcement officers.

When he was arrested, the Department of Justice alleged that he was in the back of a vehicle with the drone turned on and the explosive device was armed and located next to the drone. Philippi is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The full criminal complaint against Filipos can be found below:

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