Engineer Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Bombing PG&E Transformers in San Jose

"Peter Karasev, 39, of San Jose was sentenced this week to 120 months in federal prison for two counts of willful destruction of an energy facility related to two separate bombings of PG&E electrical transformers in South San Jose in December 2022 and January 2023. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman handed down the sentence on Dec. 16 in federal court in San Jose."

"Karasev was arrested in March 2023 following an investigation by the San Jose Police Department and the FBI. At the time of his arrest, police and FBI agents discovered multiple homemade explosive devices, over 300 pounds of explosive precursor materials, hazardous chemicals, firearms, and remote detonation devices in his home, vehicle, and office. He was indicted in October 2023. Karasev pleaded guilty in April to two counts of willful destruction of an energy facility."

"Karasev admitted that on Dec. 8, 2022, and Jan. 5, 2023, he willfully damaged energy facilities involved in the production, storage, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The Jan. 5, 2023, explosion was captured on nearby surveillance footage: In both attacks, Karasev used homemade explosive devices to cause significant destruction and widespread power outages in the San Jose area. According to the government's sentencing memorandum, the bombings caused over $200,000 in damages to affected businesses and disrupted service to over 1,500 households in the San Jose area."

Peter Karasev pleaded guilty to two counts of willful destruction of an energy facility for bombings of PG&E electrical transformers in South San Jose on Dec. 8, 2022, and Jan. 5, 2023. He was arrested in March 2023 after police and FBI agents found multiple homemade explosive devices, more than 300 pounds of explosive precursor materials, hazardous chemicals, firearms, and remote detonation devices in his home, vehicle, and office. The attacks caused significant destruction, power outages affecting over 1,500 households, and more than $200,000 in damages, including impacts on medically vulnerable customers. Karasev admitted the attacks were premeditated and conducted internet research about explosives and infrastructure attacks. The court sentenced him to 120 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, $214,881 in restitution, and a $200 special assessment.

Read at San Jose Inside