A Canadian man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his role in two attacks on energy facilities in the United States that were deemed acts of terrorism. Cameron Smith, 50, was found guilty of shooting at an oil pipeline in South Dakota and an electrical substation in North Dakota, causing damages estimated at $1.7 million.
Smith, originally from the Toronto area but living in Astoria, Oregon, pleaded guilty last September to charges related to these incidents, which occurred in 2022 and 2023. U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor imposed a sentence that exceeds federal guidelines, which typically suggest a punishment of about 3.5 to 4.25 years for similar offenses. Instead, Smith received two consecutive terms of 12.5 years each.
The judge justified the lengthy sentence by stating that Smith’s actions were intended to intimidate and coerce the public, fitting the legal definition of terrorism. Prosecutor David Hagler highlighted the seriousness of the crimes, noting that Smith’s attacks disrupted critical infrastructure and caused significant harm.
In the South Dakota incident, Smith’s actions led to a shutdown of a pump station on the Keystone XL Pipeline, which resulted in a leak affecting nearby land. The North Dakota attack damaged transformers at a power substation, causing outages for 243 customers.
During the court proceedings, Smith expressed that his actions stemmed from frustration over his failed attempts to raise awareness about climate change through lawful means. He claimed he targeted remote locations to avoid harming anyone and requested a lighter sentence due to his autism and Crohn’s disease.
Despite his pleas, Judge Traynor remained firm, stating that Smith’s conduct was premeditated and not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Smith’s defense attorney, Douglas Passon, plans to appeal the sentence, arguing that it was excessive given Smith’s medical issues and that it was disproportionate compared to similar cases.
In addition to his prison term, Smith has been ordered to pay over $2.1 million in restitution and fines totaling $250,000. After his release, he also faces deportation. Smith expressed concerns about his health and the quality of medical care he might receive while incarcerated, stating that he fears he won’t survive his sentence.