Cameron Monte Smith, a 36-year-old Canadian man, was found guilty of unleashing a violent attack on two energy facilities in the American Midwest.
The destruction occurred at the Wheelock substation, operated by Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative near Ray, North Dakota, in May 2023. The substation suffered damages exceeding $100,000.
Additionally, Smith targeted a transformer and pumpstation of the Keystone Pipeline, which is located near Carpenter, South Dakota. The attack also caused over $100,000 in damages to the pipeline equipment.
Smith admitted to firing multiple rounds from a high-power rifle into the energy facilities, disrupting electric services to North Dakota customers and causing a shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline in South Dakota.
The crime charges against Smith include one count of destruction of an energy facility in the District of North Dakota and one count of destruction of an energy facility in the District of South Dakota.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider for the District of North Dakota, and U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota made the announcement regarding Smith’s guilty plea.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date, where Smith will face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count. The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors will be considered by the federal district court judge in determining the sentence.
Key Facts
- State: North Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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