USA, California, San Jose: A San Jose engineer convicted of targeting Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) transformers has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison, according to prosecutors.
The US Department of Justice said a judge sentenced 39-year-old Peter Karasev on 16 December after he pleaded guilty in April to two counts of willful destruction of an energy facility. The charges relate to attacks carried out in late 2022 and early 2023 in the San Jose area.
Prosecutors said Karasev admitted to carrying out the attacks on 8 December 2022, near the Westfield Oakridge Mall, and on 5 January 2023, close to the Plaza Del Rey shopping centre. In both incidents, he used homemade explosive devices to damage electrical transformers.
Officials described Karasev as a serious risk to public safety, citing his technical knowledge, access to bomb-making materials, and willingness to target critical energy infrastructure. Federal authorities said the attacks posed a direct threat to both public safety and national security.
The bombings caused more than $200,000 in damage to nearby businesses and disrupted electricity supply to over 1,500 customers. Among those affected were 15 households enrolled in PG&E’s medical baseline programme, which supports customers who depend on continuous power for essential medical needs.
In addition to the prison term, Karasev was sentenced to three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $214,880.67 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. Prosecutors confirmed he was taken into custody immediately following the sentencing hearing.
Source: CBS
