Bay Area Man Guilty Of Bombing Electrical Transformers: Authorities

SAN JOSE, CA — A San Jose man pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges related to two bombings of PG&E transformers that caused disruptions for over 1,500 homes and businesses in the San Jose area, according to authorities.

Peter Karasev, 38, pleaded guilty to two counts of willful destruction of an energy facility, authorities said. He used homemade explosives to cause the outages, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The first attack was on Dec. 8, 2022, near the Westfield Oakridge Mall and left over 1,450 customers without power for almost 16 hours, authorities said. The second, on Jan. 5, 2023, near Plaza Del Rey shopping center, interrupted power to dozens of residents and businesses, according to the department.

“Attacks on America’s critical infrastructure are attacks targeting the heart of our nation’s security. They will be treated like the grave threat they are to our country,” Sue Bai, head of the department’s National Security Division, said in a news release. “With today’s guilty plea, the defendant admitted to putting thousands of lives and businesses at risk and endangering essential services for countless more.”

Karasev admitted the attacks were premeditated, according to the department. He searched extensively online, looking into explosive materials, infrastructure attacks and geopolitical conflicts, authorities said.

Agents discovered homemade explosives, over 300 pounds of explosive precursor materials, hazardous chemicals, guns and remote detonation devices in his home, vehicle and office, according to the department.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Karasev faces about 8.5-10.5 years in prison, and he has agreed to pay restitution of no less than $104,076.26 for damages, authorities said, adding he is set to be sentenced on Aug. 19.