Pierce Co. substation assaulter pleads guilty to purposefully causing failures

Both guys accused of the Christmas Day attack on power substations in Pierce County have been ordered held without bail by a U.S. District Court pending a grand jury indictment. (Photo from KIRO 7).

( Photo from KIRO 7).



BY L.B. GILBERT.

MyNorthwest Content Editor.

Update 4/28 1:16 p.m.:.

Among the men accused of triggering power interruptions impacting thousands in Pierce County last Christmas plead guilty in court Friday.

Matthew Greenwood admits in his plea arrangement that he and co-defendant Jeremy Crahan, 40, vandalized 4 power substations and plotted to fell trees to take out power lines.

According to the plea agreement, Greenwood and Crahan hatched the scheme to interrupt power so they might break into ATMs and businesses and take money.

Following the preliminary attacks, Greenwood and Crahan reportedly planned to fell trees and destroy power lines in order to dedicate more burglaries but were apprehended before they might do so.

Since his arrest, Greenwood has actually remained in extensive drug treatment while awaiting a resolution in this case.

Greenwood confronts 20 years in jail and is anticipated to be sentenced on July 21.

Initial 1/11 1:19 p.m.:.

Both guys accused of the Christmas Day attack on power substations in Pierce County have been purchased held without bail by a U.S. District Court pending a grand jury indictment.

40-year-old Jeremy Crahan and 32-year-old Matthew Greenwood are presumed of breaking into several Puget Sound Energy power substations in Pierce County on Christmas Day.

Attacks at Pierce County substations encouraged by burglary, not politics.

The 2 men were recognized as possible suspects through the analysis of cellular phone records, according to files. At one of the substations, Tacoma Power captured pictures of one suspect and the image of a pick-up truck that seemed gotten in touch with the attack. A similar pick-up truck was linked to the offenders.

Tacoma News Tribune reports that defense lawyer pushed for Crahan to be released to his moms and dad's home while on GPS tracking, but Chief Magistrate Judge Richard Creatura denied the demand, citing accusations from prosecutors he was preparing another comparable attack.

Crahan's criminal history consists of 12 felony convictions because 2005, the most recent being a 2016 conviction in a domestic break-in case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg said Crahan was still under state guidance from a 2014 conviction at the time. Greenberg said Crahan likewise had active arrest warrants throughout the substation attacks.

Authorities say he performed the acts with Greenwood, who was likewise rejected bail one week earlier. Greenwood was sent into federal custody pending a grand jury indictment.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports federal law dictates a presumption that defendants should be held in custody without bail when charged with conspiracy to damage energy centers due to the fact that it might be specified as an act of terrorism.

According to court documents, Greenwood told detectives it became part of a strategy to break into services while the power was out. Greenwood's sweetheart informed the News Tribune he was desperate for cash as the 2 are expecting a baby soon.

The 2 have been designated federal public protectors after disclosing financial resources.

Crahan deals with a charge of conspiracy to harm energy facilities.

Their lawyers and federal district attorneys asked to extend the deadline for a grand jury indictment to March 16 due to ongoing examinations of the attacks.

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