Washington man pleads guilty to vandalizing 4 substations and knocking out power for 14,000 people on Christmas

A Washington man pleaded guilty in federal court to vandalizing four power substations in Tacoma, Washington, that knocked out power to more than 14,000 customers on Christmas, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Friday.

Matthew Greenwood, 32, of Puyallup said in his plea that he and Jeremy Crahan, 40, vandalized the substations and plotted to fell trees to take out power lines.

Four substations were attacked: Kapowsin and Graham substations in Graham, Washington, operated by Tacoma Power, Elk Plain substation in Spanaway, Washington, and Hemlock Substation in Puyallup, Washington, the Department of Justice said.