Escalante Man Arrested for Shooting Power Substation

An Escalante man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for shooting and damaging a Garkane Energy Cooperative substation.
According to the Cedar City News, the incident knocked out power to thousands of Kane and Garfield county residents and businesses for several hours Sept. 25, 2016.
A few days later, Garkane announced a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever was responsible for the incident.
Stephen Plato McRae, 57, of Escalante, was charged with destruction of an energy facility, possession of a firearm by a restricted person and possession of a controlled substance.
McRae is charged with “knowingly and willfully” damaging Garkane’s Buckskin substation and causing damage in excess of $100,000.
If convicted, McRae could get up to 20 years in federal prison for the destruction of an energy facility, according to the Department of Justice.
The firearms charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years, and McRae could receive two years for possession of a controlled substance. Each charge carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
McRae’s initial appearance in federal court has not yet been scheduled.
The case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI and the Bureau of Land Management, who are participating as members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.