Canadian Man Pleads Guilty to Energy Facility Destruction

Cameron Monte Smith, a Canadian citizen, has pleaded guilty to two counts of destruction of energy facilities, one in North Dakota and another in South Dakota, resulting in significant damages estimated at over $1.7 million. Smith admitted to shooting the Wheelock substation near Ray, North Dakota, in May 2023, causing approximately $1.2 million in damages and disrupting power for over 240 customers. He also damaged the Keystone Pipeline's transformer and pump station in July 2022, leading to an estimated $495,000 in damages. Federal authorities indicated that Smith's actions were a deliberate attack on critical energy infrastructure, and he faces up to 20 years in prison for each count. A sentencing hearing is set for December 16 in Bismarck, with additional charges related to firearm possession likely to be dropped under a plea agreement. The case is under investigation by the FBI and ATF.