Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Blow Up Energy Facility With WMD

A man from Tennessee faces a maximum sentence of life in prison after reportedly planning to destroy an energy center in Nashville. His plan was thwarted by undercover officers.

What happened: According to a press release by the Office of Public Affairs, 24-year-old Skyler Philippi pleaded guilty on September 9 to “attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility.”

• In June 2024, Philippi communicated with a “confidential human source.” He reportedly told them he wanted to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA. The following month, he described to someone else the “impact of attacking large interstate substations,” claiming it would “shock the system.”
• Authorities reveal that Phillipi researched previous attacks on power substations and realized he could not disable one with regular firearms. Instead, he opted for a custom-built drone to avoid law enforcement. He reportedly planned to use the drone to fly C4 explosives into the substation.
• Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division said that Phillipi’s plan could potentially knock out power to thousands of homes. It may have also affected critical structures, like hospitals.

The Tennessee Man Claimed He Wrote A “Manifesto” To An Undercover Officer

Law enforcement started closing in: Per the press release, Phillipi told an “undercover employee” that he wrote a “manifesto” in August 2024. He reportedly “conducted reconnaissance” of a specific electric substation the following month.

• Around the same time, Phillipi purchased various explosive materials from another undercover employee. He reportedly texted, “If you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.”
• In November, Phillipi met with undercover employees for the last time. They reportedly assembled at a hotel where he said it was “time to do something big.” The undercover employees went to designated spots around the energy facility, where they posed as lookouts. Officers apprehended Philiipi shortly after.
• The press release notes that Phillipi had the drone powered up and an armed explosive device when authorities took him into custody.

Phillipi is due to be sentenced on January 8, 2026. He faces maximum penalties of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The FBI is still investigating the case.