Middlesex County Young Man Arrested for Alleged Plot to Sabotage Energy Infrastructure

An 18-year-old from East Brunswick is charged with inciting destruction of local energy facilities, highlighting growing concerns over domestic extremism.

NEWARK, N.J. - Andrew Takhistov, an 18-year-old resident of East Brunswick, New Jersey, has been charged with soliciting the destruction of energy facilities, specifically targeting a Public Service Enterprise Group (PSE&G) circuit breaker and substation. The charge was announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Takhistov was detained following his court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court.

“This complaint alleges that the defendant’s posts referenced Adolf Hitler, encouraged violence against Black and Jewish communities, praised mass shooters and discussed causing death and destruction on a large scale. The defendant was allegedly enroute to join the Russian Volunteer Corps, which he described as specializing in assassinations, attacks on power grids, and other infrastructure sabotage, so that he could act on his violent plans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

“Imagine the chaos and number of life-threatening emergencies if a large population of people in New Jersey lost power in the middle of the current heat wave,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “We allege Takhistov, who is only 18 years old, planned to travel overseas so he could learn lessons from Russians fighting in Ukraine on how to destroy power grids and other critical infrastructure. His alleged conversations and planned actions are chilling and were inspired by racially motivated violent extremism. Disrupting all of our lives was the goal.”

The case unfolded as Takhistov allegedly used social messaging platforms to communicate with someone he believed to be a like-minded individual, who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. His posts and conversations showed an alignment with racially and ethnically motivated extremist ideologies. Takhistov's online activity included discussions about weapon construction, admiration for Adolf Hitler, and endorsements of violence against specific ethnic and religious groups.

“This defendant exemplifies the threat posed by racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism,” NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said. “Whether in his efforts to instruct our undercover officer on how to sabotage critical infrastructure, or in his attempted travel overseas to join a National Socialist paramilitary force, he sought to advance his ideological goals through destruction and violence. The NYPD and our law enforcement partners will remain relentless in our mission to identify, investigate, and inhibit anyone who has designs on plotting acts of terror.”

In May 2024, Takhistov disclosed his plans to travel to Ukraine to join the Russian Volunteer Corps, a group known for its extremist activities, including infrastructure sabotage. He detailed methods to the undercover officer on how to damage electrical substations using Mylar balloons and Molotov cocktails, and even conducted reconnaissance missions to several substations in North and New Brunswick.

Takhistov’s arrest occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport as he was about to depart for Paris, en route to Ukraine. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $125,000 fine. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats posed by domestic extremists and underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to preempt acts of sabotage against critical infrastructure.