U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced Aug. 8 that a federal grand jury in Boise returned an indictment charging Randy Scott Vail, 58, of Meridian, Idaho, with two counts of destruction of an energy facility, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1366(a).
The indictment alleges that on June 8, 2023, and continuing into June 9, 2023, Vail used a rifle to shoot at the Hells Canyon Dam hydroelectric power station and the Brownlee Dam hydroelectric power station, causing damage to both. The damage resulted in significant interruption and impairment of function of the facilities, according to United States Attorney’s Office, District of Idaho. However, the specific nature of the damage was not detailed.
The facilities are owned and operated by Idaho Power Company and produce, transmit, store and distribute electricity to Washington, Idaho and Oregon. They stations are part of the Hells Canyon complex, which provides about 40% of Idaho Power’s total electricity, according to company data. Its three powerhouses are 585.4 MW Brownlee, 190 MW Oxbow and 391 MW Hells Canyon.
If convicted, Vail faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge would determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Hurwit credited the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the Meridian Police Department, which led to the charges. Hurwit also thanked the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Adams County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for their collaboration in the prosecution of the defendant.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
