Ray, ND – Cameron Monte Smith, a citizen of Canada, has pleaded guilty to two counts of destruction of an energy facility. Smith admitted to damaging the Wheelock substation, operated by Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative, near Ray, North Dakota, in May 2023, resulting in damages exceeding $100,000.
The substation damage caused a disruption to electric services for North Dakota customers. Smith also admitted to damaging a transformer and pumpstation of the Keystone Pipeline located near Carpenter, South Dakota, in July 2022, which resulted in a disruption to the pipeline and caused damages exceeding $100,000.
The destruction of the energy facilities was carried out by Smith firing multiple rounds from a high-power rifle into the equipment. The investigation into the case is being led by the FBI and ATF.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch, U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider for the District of North Dakota, U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota and Special Agent in Charge Travis S. Riddle of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) St. Paul Field Division made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David D. Hagler, Jonathan J. O’Konek and Jeremy Jehangiri are prosecuting the case with the assistance from Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Smith faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
The incident highlights the severity of the damage caused by the destruction of energy facilities and the potential consequences for those found guilty of such crimes.
In related news, the FBI and ATF continue to investigate the case, working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: North Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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