NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Columbia man facing federal charges for nearly blowing up part of the power grid had his sights set on Nashville.

We spoke to federal prosecutors about the case against Skyler Philippi.

“Mr. Philippi wanted to dismantle up to nine power grids, and he believed that would only cause complete chaos and destroy our system, and that we would have to start from scratch,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas Jowarski.

Federal agents began monitoring Philippi in June. The 24-year-old — currently in federal custody on domestic terrorism charges — is an “accelerant,” who is apparently a white supremacist hell-bent on destroying society as we know it.

“If he is able to do that, not only will you be able to take out electricity, but you will also take out hospitals and traffic lights. You will also take out all the electricity that we need to survive as a country,” said Jowarski.

SATURDAY, Philippi was captured with a drone and explosives just outside the gates of a Nashville substation thanks to undercover agents who gained his trust.

For months, federal agents followed him as he investigated previous attacks on energy facilities, including in North Carolina. In 2022, attackers shot up a substation to knock tens of thousands of people off the grid. Unlike this situation, Philippi planned to use a drone equipped with C4 and homemade bombs.

“Just reading the facts of the complaint, you can see he’s very detailed. He’s very committed,” Jowarski said.

You can read the full complaint here.

In September, during a reconnaissance visit to the undisclosed Nashville substation, he told undercover FBI agents that his plan would blow up the facility like a “Fourth of July fireworks.” Philippi is believed to have targeted Nashville because it is a financial and technology center.

Philippi, who also has ties to Buffalo and Louisville, had just started a job at Ryder in Spring Hill.

It doesn’t appear that his plot is about the election, but rather a desire to stand out, whatever the cost.

“The agents offered him the opportunity to withdraw just before he went there, and to quote him, (he said) ‘I’m fully committed to this. I want to do something big and go down in history of History.’ “Jowarski said.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said this case serves as a warning to anyone who seeks to attack our critical infrastructure in the name of hatred.

“According to the indictment, Skyler Philippi believed he was about to launch an attack on a Nashville energy facility to promote his violent white supremacist ideology – but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” the prosecutor said. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “This case serves as another warning to those who seek to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our nation’s critical infrastructure: the Department of Justice will find you, we will foil your plot, and we will hold you accountable . I am grateful to FBI officials for their extraordinary work on this case and for the work they do every day to keep our country safe.

A detention hearing for Philippi is scheduled for November 13.

Do you have more information on this story? You can send me an email to [email protected].

She carries her husband’s legacy to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

I am so inspired by Sheila Gann’s love for her husband and his resilience. Anyone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s knows how cruel this disease is, not only to the patient, but also to those who love and care for them. Mike and Sheila clearly had a remarkable love story, and she’s now honoring it in the most beautiful way. Thanks to Forrest Sanders for sharing their story.

-Carrie Sharp