BALTIMORE, MD – A Maryland woman and a Florida man are facing serious federal charges after a grand jury indictment revealed a conspiracy to cripple a critical energy facility. Sarah Beth Clendaniel, 34, of Catonsville, Maryland, and Brandon Clint Russell, 27, of Orlando, Florida, are accused of plotting to inflict significant damage and disrupt operations at an unspecified energy site.
The indictment, unsealed today, alleges that Russell and Clendaniel conspired to “willfully damage the property of an energy facility, causing damage exceeding $100,000 and causing a significant interruption and impairment of a function of the facility.” Both defendants have been held in custody since their February 3, 2023, arrests on related charges, the specifics of which remain tightly guarded.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski announced the indictment, signaling the culmination of a joint investigation. While details of the planned attack remain scarce, authorities emphasized the potential for widespread disruption and financial impact had the plot succeeded.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a verdict. Clendaniel and Russell are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, if convicted of conspiracy to damage an energy facility, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years behind federal bars. The final sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into consideration U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
Barron lauded the Baltimore FBI Field Office for its “outstanding work” on the case, and extended praise to the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Maryland State Police, the Baltimore County Police Department, and FBI field offices in Tampa, Washington, and New York for their assistance. The Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida also contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and Christina Hoffman are leading the prosecution.
This case highlights the ongoing threat to critical infrastructure and the dedication of federal agencies to protecting it. Anyone with information regarding potential threats to Maryland’s infrastructure is urged to contact the FBI Baltimore field office at (410) 265-8080 or submit tips online at www.tips.fbi.gov. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and its community outreach programs, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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