Christopher Kyle Duke, 36, of Maryville, Tennessee, was sentenced on May 28, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan in Knoxville to 10 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $38,692.39—$23,236.27 to Enbridge, Inc. and $15,456.12 to Atmos Energy.

Duke previously pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and willfully damaging or attempting to destroy an interstate gas pipeline facility in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 60123(b). On May 9, 2025, he broke into the Enbridge and East Tennessee Natural Gas LLC substation in Maryville by scaling the fenced perimeter, then recklessly opened numerous gas valves, triggering a high-pressure emergency release of natural gas that shook the ground, and intentionally damaged monitoring, metering, and regulating equipment serving Blount County customers.

The case was investigated by the Maryville Police Department and the FBI, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Lewen, Jr.