TACOMA – Matthew Greenwood, 32, previously of Puyallup, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to three years of probation, including one year of home confinement, for conspiracy to destroy energy facilities. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced the sentencing. Greenwood had pleaded guilty in April 2023, admitting his involvement along with co-defendant Jeremy Crahan, 40, in vandalizing four power substations and planning to knock down trees to disrupt power lines. Both were arrested before implementing the tree-felling plan. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo acknowledged the severity of the crime but also recognized Greenwood’s significant progress since his arrest.
Prosecutors and U.S. Probation recommended the probationary sentence to allow Greenwood to continue his rehabilitation towards a drug-free and lawful life.
As per the plea agreement, Greenwood and Crahan conspired to interrupt power supply to facilitate ATM and business break-ins for theft. On December 25, 2022, they targeted four substations:
- Hemlock Substation, Puyallup, Washington (Puget Sound Energy): They cut the fence, and Greenwood tampered with a switch, causing equipment damage and a power outage for 8,000 customers.
- Elk Plain Substation, Spanaway, Washington (Tacoma Power): They cut gate padlocks, and Greenwood manipulated breakers, resulting in equipment damage and an outage.
- Graham Substation, Graham, Washington (Tacoma Power): After cutting through a perimeter fence, Greenwood tampered with a switch, combining this outage with the Elk Plain substation outage and impacting over 7,500 customers.
- Kapowsin Substation, Graham, Washington (Puget Sound Energy): They cut through a fence, and Greenwood’s tampering with a switch led to sparks, flame, and a power outage.
Co-defendant Jeremy Crahan, failing to complete drug treatment, received an 18-month prison sentence in December.