Texas pipeline bombing suspect convicted

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Last week, a man was convicted in federal court in Austin of attempting to damage or destroy portions of Hayes County’s Permian Highway pipeline.

Ryan McKinney, 22, of Fort Worth, was sentenced to five years in prison after he attempted to detonate a device near a section of pipeline on January 26, 2022. press release From the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to the release, McKinney “had extensive plans for the attack and deliberately chose the Permian Highway Pipeline as part of his ideological struggle against capitalism and climate change.”

McKinney turned himself in after the device did not damage the pipeline.

Jaime Esparza, U.S. Attorney for the West District of Texas, said, “Despite the failure of this defendant’s attempted destruction, his intentions, as demonstrated by his meticulous planning, are irresponsible and extremely dangerous.” “This indictment and verdict make it clear that attacks on our nation’s critical infrastructure are unacceptable and that the law is fully committed to addressing them.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the incident.