A Canadian man whom customs officials say entered the United States illegally has plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Bismarck to attacking energy installations in North Dakota and South Dakota. Cameron Monte Smith admitted to two counts of destruction of an energy facility and faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count.
Smith used a high-powered rifle to attack an electrical substation near Ray, North Dakota in May 2023 and a substation and a pumpstation for the Keystone Pipeline in South Dakota in July 2022, causing $1.7 million in damage.
“This defendant deliberately and very violently attacked our nation’s energy infrastructure,” U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Mac Schneider said. “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. Our career prosecutors and colleagues in the District of South Dakota deserve credit for working cooperatively to ensure this defendant faced justice in federal court.”
Smith pumped several rounds into the Wheelock substation, disrupting electrical service to some 240 North Dakota customers. The 49-year old Canadian also shot up a transformer and pumpstation near Carpenter, South Dakota, disrupting operations on the Keystone Pipeline.
“Cameron Smith orchestrated and executed attacks on critical energy infrastructure in North and South Dakota using a high-powered rifle,” said U.S. Attorney for South Dakota Alison Ramsdell. “Thanks to our partners in the District of North Dakota, the FBI, ATF, and the National Security Division, this defendant has been held to account for his criminal activity, and he will now be subject to serious time in federal prison.”
The reason behind the attacks has not been revealed. But the AP points to a possible clue.
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 pipeline that was opposed by many Native American tribes and environmentalists.
Smith’s sentencing was set for a later date.