SAN JOSE - Peter Karasev, 39, of San Jose, California, was sentenced yesterday 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 late 2022 and early 2023. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman handed down the sentence.

"Karasev's attacks on critical infrastructure were direct threats to public safety and national security," said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian. "He aimed to inflict widespread disruption and harm, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who threaten the safety and well-being of the residents of San Jose. We and our law enforcement partners will leverage every available resource to ensure that violent extremists like the defendant face the full force of justice."

"This defendant admitted to attacking critical infrastructure which could have harmed people in the San Jose, California community and he will now face the consequences of his actions," said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. "This individual conducted research and prepared homemade explosives which knocked out power to multiple homes and caused more than $200,000 in property damage to local businesses. The FBI will work with our partners to identify and hold accountable those who engage in such dangerous and illegal acts."

"Peter Karasev's actions were deliberate, dangerous, and designed to disrupt critical infrastructure relied upon by our residents. This 10-year federal prison sentence reflects the seriousness of using explosive devices to attack our power grid and the real-world consequences of those choices," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. "The FBI is grateful for the outstanding collaboration with the San Jose Police Department in this case. Together, we remain committed to protecting our communities and holding those who threaten public safety fully accountable."

Karasev pleaded guilty on April 29 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. Of those affected included 15 households enrolled in PG&E's Medical Baseline Program that required continued electrical service for life-sustaining medical needs.

Karasev admitted that the attacks were premeditated and deliberate, and that he had conducted extensive internet searches regarding explosive materials, infrastructure attacks, and geopolitical conflicts.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered $214,880.67 in restitution and $200 special assessment. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne C. Hsieh for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case with the assistance of Sara Slattery and the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and San Jose Police Department.