US woman and neo-Nazi leader plotted to attack power grid via sniper - officials

A Maryland woman conspired with a Florida neo-Nazi leader to carry out an attack on several electrical substations in the Baltimore area, officials said on Monday.

The arrest of Sarah Beth Clendaniel, of Baltimore county, was the latest in a series across the country as authorities warn that electrical infrastructure could be a vulnerable target for domestic terrorists. It wasn't immediately clear on Monday whether she had a lawyer to speak on her behalf.

She conspired with Brandon Russell, recently arrested in Florida, to disable the power grid by shooting out substations via "sniper attacks", saying she wanted to "completely destroy this whole city", according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Monday. The complaint also included a photo of a woman authorities identified as Clendaniel wearing tactical gear that bore a swastika and holding a rifle.

US attorney Erek Barron praised investigators for disrupting hate-fueled violence.

"When we are united, hate cannot win," he said at a news conference announcing the charges.

Authorities declined to specify how the planned attack was meant to fulfill a racist motive but suggested the defendants wanted to bring attention to their cause.

Russell has a long history of ties to racist groups and Nazi beliefs, as well as past plans to attack US infrastructure systems, according to the complaint. It also wasn't clear on Monday whether he had a lawyer.

In recent months, concerns about protecting the country's power grid have been heightened by attacks, or threatened attacks.

In Washington state, two men were arrested last month on charges that they vandalized substations weeks earlier in attacks that left thousands without power around Christmastime. One of the suspects told authorities they did it so they could break into a business and steal money.

A gunfire attack in December on substations in central North Carolina caused power outages affecting tens of thousands of customers. Law enforcement officials have said the shooting was targeted, though no arrests have been made. Lawmakers there have proposed legislation to toughen penalties for intentionally damaging utility equipment.

Baltimore Gas and Electric, which controls the local power grid, thanked law enforcement and said on Monday that there was no damage to any substations, that service was not disrupted and that there are currently no known threats to facilities.