UNITED STATES NEWS

Canadian man admits shootings that damaged electrical substations in the Dakotas

Sep 13, 2024, 9:38 AM

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Canadian man has pleaded guilty to federal crimes for shootings at electrical substations and an oil pipeline in the Dakotas that caused $1.7 million in damages.

Cameron Monte Smith pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Bismarck, North Dakota, to two counts of destruction of an energy facility — one in North Dakota and one in South Dakota. He could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each charge, the Bismarck Tribune reported. Sentencing is in December.

Federal authorities said Smith, 49, was in the U.S. illegally when he fired shots into the Wheelock Substation near Ray, North Dakota, in May 2023, knocking out power for over 240 people and causing $1.2 million in damage.

Smith also was convicted of firing shots at a transformer and pump station of the Keystone Pipeline near Carpenter, South Dakota, in July 2022. The shooting disrupted operations of the pipeline that moves Canadian oil through parts of the U.S. Damage was estimated at nearly $500,000.

A plea agreement calls for Smith to pay restitution.

Federal court records don’t cite a possible motive. Documents in North Dakota state court, where Smith was initially charged, said officers observed “DAPL” and other unspecified symbols spray-painted near the substation. DAPL references the Dakota Access oil pipeline that was opposed by many Native American tribes and environmentalists.

“This defendant deliberately and very violently attacked our nation’s energy infrastructure,” North Dakota U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said in a statement. “Our law enforcement partners put an end to those attacks, and this guilty plea provides a measure of accountability for the defendant’s actions and extensive damage he caused.”

Defense attorney Kevin Chapman said Smith’s plea is conditional, reserving the right to appeal. A judge earlier denied a motion to suppress evidence that the defense maintained was based upon illegal searches and seizures.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

United States News

President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in ...

Associated Press

OpenAI looks across US for sites to build its Trump-backed Stargate AI data centers

OpenAI is scouring the U.S. for sites to build a network of huge data centers to power its artificial intelligence technology, expanding beyond a flagship Texas location and looking across 16 states to accelerate the Stargate project championed by President Donald Trump. The maker of ChatGPT put out a request for proposals and began visiting […]

48 minutes ago

File - In this June 30, 2011 file photo is an exterior view of San Jose State University in San Jos...

Associated Press

San Jose State and Penn face inquiries in Trump crackdown on transgender athletes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is investigating potential civil rights violations at two universities and a high school sports league that allowed transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams, the Education Department said Thursday. The agency is opening reviews at San Jose State University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. […]

1 hour ago

Associated Press

Man charged after pregnant woman dies in attempt to cross US-Canada border

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — A man extradited from Canada was arraigned on human smuggling charges Thursday in the case of a 33-year-old pregnant woman found dead in a frigid northern New York river after she illegally crossed the border, according to federal authorities. The body of Ana Vasquez-Flores of Mexico was found in the Great […]

1 hour ago

FILE - A lone home stands among residences levelled by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Tuesd...

Associated Press

‘Voice of the CDC’ resumes publication, but experts worry about what they’re not hearing

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal scientific publication on Thursday returned from a forced two-week hiatus with two papers examining the health effects of wildfires in Hawaii and California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resumed the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which the Trump administration suspended as part of a “pause” on regulations, […]

1 hour ago

Associated Press

Providence and hospital doctors reach tentative agreement in Oregon’s 27-day health care strike

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Providence and dozens of doctors at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, have reached a tentative agreement after 27 days of strike, bringing what has been described as the state’s largest health care strike closer to a potential end, depending on union ratification. The tentative agreement with hospital doctors and palliative care […]

2 hours ago

FILE - The smartphone apps DeepSeek page is seen on a smartphone screen in Beijing, Tuesday, Jan. 2...

Associated Press

House lawmakers push to ban AI app DeepSeek from US government devices

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan duo in the the U.S. House is proposing legislation to ban the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from federal devices, similar to the policy already in place for the popular social media platform TikTok. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill., on Thursday introduced the “No DeepSeek on Government […]

2 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

Canadian man admits shootings that damaged electrical substations in the Dakotas