Canadian man pleads guilty to damaging Dakotas electrical substations

Cameron Monte Smith, a 49-year-old Canadian man, has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the destruction of energy facilities in the Dakotas. His actions included shooting at the Wheelock Substation in North Dakota in May 2023, which resulted in a power outage affecting over 240 residents and caused damages estimated at $1.2 million. Additionally, he fired shots at a transformer and pump station of the Keystone Pipeline in South Dakota in July 2022, leading to nearly $500,000 in damages and disrupting oil operations. Smith's plea agreement indicates he may face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each of the two counts of destruction of an energy facility. Sentencing is scheduled for December, and he is also required to pay restitution for the damages incurred. Federal authorities noted that Smith was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the incidents. The investigation revealed that symbols related to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) were spray-painted near the substation, suggesting a possible motive linked to opposition against the pipeline, which has faced significant resistance from Native American tribes and environmental activists. However, the federal court records do not explicitly state a motive for Smith's actions. U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider emphasized the severity of the attacks on the nation’s energy infrastructure and the importance of accountability for such violent actions. Smith's defense attorney has indicated that the plea is conditional, allowing for the possibility of an appeal, following a judge's denial of a motion to suppress evidence based on claims of illegal searches and seizures.