A Tennessee man has admitted guilt in a disturbing plot to attack Nashville’s power grid using a drone rigged with explosives. Federal prosecutors revealed that 24-year-old Skyler Philippi of Columbia pleaded guilty to attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility.
Investigators say Philippi had been radicalized by extremist white nationalist beliefs and wanted to cause widespread disruption by targeting critical infrastructure. His plan centered on attaching what he believed to be C-4 explosives to a drone and flying it into a power substation in Nashville. He described his intentions as wanting “to shock the system” with a high-impact strike.
The FBI uncovered the plot through a months-long undercover operation. Philippi first revealed his plans to a confidential informant in mid-2024, which led him into contact with undercover federal agents. In November of that year, he traveled to the intended substation site with what he thought were explosives ready for deployment. He was immediately arrested, preventing what authorities say could have been a catastrophic attack.
Philippi initially pleaded not guilty in January, arguing that his rights had been violated and his legal counsel was ineffective. He has now reversed course and entered a guilty plea. His sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2026, and he faces the possibility of life in prison.
The case underscores growing concerns about domestic terrorism threats to U.S. infrastructure. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned that energy facilities remain attractive targets for extremist groups. Philippi’s guilty plea closes one chapter in the investigation but highlights ongoing challenges in protecting critical services from radicalized individuals.