The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

BRANDON Russell, a Bahamian and former St Andrew’s School student, has been found guilty in the United States of conspiring to damage an energy facility after prosecutors accused him of being a white supremacist who supported Neo-Nazi ideologies.

The verdict was delivered on February 4, 2025, after a six-day trial. 

Russell, who resided in Orlando, Florida, was convicted of plotting attacks on electrical substations to further his racially or ethnically motivated extremist beliefs. 

Evidence presented in court revealed that between November 2022 and February 3 2023, he shared maps highlighting substation locations and discussed causing a “cascading failure” to disrupt the power grid. 

He recruited Sarah Beth Clendaniel from Maryland to execute these attacks in the Baltimore area, aiming to cause significant regional disruption with an intended monetary loss exceeding $75m.

Russell’s sentencing is anticipated in the coming months, where he could face substantial prison time for his actions.

The trial shed light on the meticulous planning he and his co-conspirator undertook.

They utilised open-source maps to identify vulnerable points in the power grid and strategised coordinated attacks to maximise impact. 

Their objective was not only to cause widespread power outages but also to further their white supremacist agenda by instigating chaos and fear.

Law enforcement agencies intercepted communications between Russell and Clendaniel, including discussions about the attacks’ logistics and the anticipated societal impact. 

Federal authorities revealed that an undercover informant played a crucial role in unravelling their plot.

According to international reports, the informant, using the alias “Jackson”, engaged with the suspects, gathering vital intelligence on their plans to disable electrical substations. 

The trial itself took place under heightened security due to the nature of the charges and the threats posed by Russell’s extremist affiliations. 

Witnesses, including law enforcement officials and informants, testified under aliases and were given protective measures to shield their identities. 

Strict courtroom protocols were reportedly enforced to prevent intimidation or potential retaliation.