A federal judge in Baltimore sentenced a Florida neo-Nazi leader to 20 years in prison for his role in a Maryland power grid plot that aimed to cause widespread blackouts and chaos in the region.
Senior U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar handed down the maximum penalty to Brandon Clint Russell, 30, of Orlando, on Aug. 7, 2025, followed by lifetime supervised release. The sentence came after a jury convicted Russell in February of conspiring to damage energy facilities, a scheme driven by his white supremacist ideology. Prosecutors described the Maryland power grid plot as an attempt to trigger a cascading failure in the Baltimore area’s electrical system, potentially harming thousands and causing over $75 million in damage.
Russell founded the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division in 2015, an organization that promotes accelerationism, the idea of hastening societal collapse through violence to establish a white ethnostate. Evidence at trial showed he conspired from November 2022 to Feb. 3, 2023, sharing open-source maps of substations and discussing how targeted attacks could maximize disruption. He recruited Sarah Beth Clendaniel, 37, of Catonsville, to execute the plan, identifying five Baltimore-area substations as targets. Clendaniel, who pleaded guilty and received an 18-year sentence in September 2024, stated that hitting multiple sites simultaneously “would completely destroy this whole city” and could “permanently completely lay this city to waste.”
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Bredar labeled Russell “the brains” behind the Maryland power grid plot and called him “profoundly dangerous,” noting his intent to create a “bizarre utopia” through terror and fear. The judge rejected defense arguments that Russell was “all talk” and never entered Maryland, emphasizing his history of extremism. Russell’s attorney, Ian Goldstein, argued for leniency, pointing out Clendaniel armed herself and faced an additional firearms charge. Goldstein told reporters post-sentencing that Russell had been “very nice” to him but declined to comment on remorse.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland highlighted the case’s severity in a statement: “Russell allowed hatred to drive him and his co-conspirator to plot a dangerous scheme that could have harmed thousands of people. The sentence imposed today reflects the gravity of Russell’s egregious conduct and his ongoing threat to public safety. This conviction underscores our unwavering commitment to dismantling violent extremist threats and holding accountable anyone who dares to conspire to endanger the lives of others.”
Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office praised the Joint Terrorism Task Force’s coordination: “Swift and thorough coordination from our law enforcement partners through the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force disrupted this significant threat to Maryland. I am proud of the dedicated FBI agents and analysts who worked this case from Maryland to Florida. This investigation shows the commitment and broad reach of the FBI to ensure those plotting harm are brought to justice.”
Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor of the FBI Tampa Field Office added: “This case illustrates the FBI’s vigilance in defending the homeland from radical violent extremists like Brandon Russell. Our strong partnerships, resources, and resilience exemplifies our commitment to disrupting hate-filled campaigns intended to harm our communities.”
The Maryland power grid plot involved Russell attempting to procure a rifle for Clendaniel, who had a prior 2016 robbery conviction prohibiting her from possessing firearms. Investigators uncovered their communications through prison letters and online channels, where they discussed white supremacist goals. Russell, on probation after a 2018 five-year sentence for possessing explosives and destructive devices in Florida, continued extremist activities in custody, creating neo-Nazi propaganda and maintaining contacts. In that earlier case, authorities found bomb-making materials, radioactive substances, and Nazi memorabilia in his Tampa apartment following a double homicide by his roommate.
Prosecutors noted Russell’s lack of remorse, citing recent communications with Clendaniel about a white prison newsletter. Family members, including his grandmother, submitted letters pleading for mercy, claiming the actions did not reflect the person they knew. Despite this, the court prioritized public safety, given Russell’s history and the plot’s potential impact.
The Maryland power grid plot underscores vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, a growing concern nationwide. In 2022, attackers damaged substations in North Carolina, causing outages for 45,000 customers, highlighting similar risks. Maryland officials have since enhanced security measures, including increased patrols and federal partnerships to protect energy facilities. The case involved collaboration among the FBI’s Baltimore and Tampa offices, Maryland State Police, Baltimore County Police, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
Atomwaffen Division, which Russell led, has been linked to multiple murders and terror plots, disbanding formally in 2020 but inspiring offshoots. Russell’s military background as a former Florida National Guardsman added to concerns about extremist infiltration in the armed forces. The U.S. Attorney’s Office participates in the Justice Department’s United Against Hate program, aimed at building trust with communities to combat hate crimes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Aubin and Joseph R. Baldwin prosecuted the case, with appeals expected from the defense. This resolution prevents a potential catastrophe but serves as a reminder of ongoing threats from domestic extremism.
