San Jose man arraigned in case involving attacks on California energy infrastructure

A San Jose man was arraigned in a California court on charges related to an explosives attack on a California utility’s transformers.

Peter Karasev, 36, was arraigned in the Northern District of California Court Tuesday, according to a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice. Karasev is alleged to have knowingly and willfully damaged two transformers owned by PG&E in December and January.

Related to the January incident, Karasev is charged with using fire and an explosive to destroy an energy facility.

Karasev worked as a software engineer for a company called Zoox, which develops self-driving cars. Police arrested him at his workplace on March 1, according to Vice.

According to KRON in San Jose, Karasev lived with three children under the age of five. At his home, police found chemicals, methamphetamine and firearms within reach of the kids.

Paul Joseph, assistant chief of the San Jose Police Department, told KRON that Karasev’s motives are unclear.

According to the indictment, the incidents resulted in knocking out power to over 1,500 homes and businesses in the San Jose area.

“The FBI is laser focused on protecting the essential infrastructure that Americans rely on every day, and we and our partners like the San Jose Police Department will use every lawful means to hold anyone who targets that infrastructure accountable,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray, in the DOJ statement.

Karasev has remained in custody since his arrest on related state charges, which according to KRON includes child endangerment, prior to his transfer to federal custody for this case.