Federal authorities have thwarted a plot to devastate Baltimore’s power grid.

The story begins in 2018 when Maryland native Brandon Clint Russell and Florida based Sarah Beth Clendaniel started corresponding while imprisoned for separate crimes. Russell, already known for his neo-Nazi beliefs, had previously been involved in a plot to attack energy facilities in Florida.

Fast forward to 2022, Russell, using the online alias “Homunculus,” began discussing plans with an FBI informant to attack critical infrastructure in a large city. In 2023, Clendaniel joined these conversations under her own aliases, expressing a desire to do something “significant” before she died from a terminal illness.

Their plan was chilling in its simplicity and potential for destruction. According to the indictment, they intended to attack electrical substations surrounding Baltimore, which Clendaniel claimed would “completely destroy” the entire city.

With enough evidence in hand, the FBI moved quickly to stop the deadly plot. Both Russell and Clendaniel were arrested last month. A document believed to be written by Clendaniel was seized by the FBI during the investigation, which authorities characterize as resembling a manifesto. It allegedly praises Hitler, the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, and the 2011 Norwegian terrorist attack where 77 young campers were killed by a car bomb.

While Russell has pleaded not guilty to the new charges, Clendaniel admitted to her role and was granted a plea deal on Thursday of 18 years in prison followed by supervised release for life.