NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A 24-year-old Columbia man pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility after federal agents thwarted his plan to attack Nashville’s power grid with explosives strapped to a drone.
According to prosecutors, Skyler Philippi spent months planning the attack, acquiring what he believed to be C-4 explosives, conducting surveillance of a local substation, and outfitting a drone to carry the bomb. Investigators say he was motivated by extremist ideology and sought to cause widespread power outages that could have crippled hospitals and other critical facilities.
Court records show Philippi discussed his plan with undercover FBI employees and confidential sources throughout 2024. He told them that shooting at substations would not cause enough damage, so he intended to use a drone carrying high-energy explosives. At one point, Philippi wrote a manifesto, citing his past ties to extremist groups and outlining his desire to strike “high economic, high tax” targets.
On Nov. 2, 2024, agents arrested Philippi after he met with undercover operatives at a hotel, performed a Nordic ritual, and drove to the planned attack site. Officials say he had the drone powered up and an explosive device armed when he was taken into custody.
“Philippi wanted to do something big,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Instead, the FBI disrupted his plans, and Philippi now awaits sentencing.”
Philippi is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2026, and faces up to life in prison and a fine of $250,000.
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Key Points
- Skyler Philippi, 24, pleaded guilty to plotting to bomb a Nashville energy substation with a drone.
- FBI undercover agents arrested him with a drone powered up and explosives armed.
- Philippi faces up to life in prison at his January sentencing.
A drone attack meant to darken Nashville was stopped before it could lift off.