Key takeaways
Brandon Russell sentenced to 20 years for conspiracy to damage an energy facility
Plot targeted Baltimore’s power grid to advance racist ideology
Russell co-founded neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division
Co-defendant Sarah Clendaniel previously sentenced to 18 years
The founder of a Florida-based neo-Nazi group has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring with his girlfriend to plan an attack on Maryland’s power grid in furtherance of their shared racist beliefs.
Brandon Russell, 30, was convicted by a jury earlier this year. Prosecutors presented evidence detailing his longstanding affiliation with white supremacist causes and his recent efforts to organize “sniper attacks” on electrical substations around Baltimore.
During a sentencing hearing Thursd