Viral Magazine

By Laura M. Henning, Associated Civic News Bureau, Fairhaven, Ind.

FAIRHAVEN, Ind. — A northern Indiana teenager was questioned by federal authorities after an automated alert tied to his online electronics purchases prompted an investigation that ultimately revealed a small-scale renewable energy experiment, officials said.

According to law enforcement officials, the inquiry began after Amazon flagged what it described as an unusual purchasing pattern involving four Raspberry Pi microcomputers, supercapacitors, LEDs, carbon rods and electrodes. The information was referred to federal authorities as part of a broader effort to identify potentially suspicious activity tied to technical equipment.

Agents later discovered the 17-year-old had been installing small devices in the soil near landscaped areas outside a Target superstore in Fairhaven, a town of about 8,000 residents roughly 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

“At first glance, it raised concerns,” said Special Agent Mark Rourke, a spokesperson for the FBI’s Indianapolis field office. “You have electronics, wiring, energy storage components, and devices placed in the ground near a commercial property. That’s something we take seriously.”

After interviews and a review of the equipment, authorities determined the devices were plant-microbial fuel cells, a type of experimental system that generates small amounts of electricity by harnessing naturally occurring bacteria in soil.

The teen told investigators he was using the system to slowly charge a portable battery, which he then used to power his phone.

“He explained that it was an experiment,” Rourke said. “Once we understood what it was and what it wasn’t, there was no indication of criminal intent.”

The teen, whose name was not released because he is a minor, said he had learned about the technology through online research and science forums. He said he chose the retail property because of its large landscaped areas.

“He told us he felt the parking lot had taken away green space and quality of life,” Rourke said. “In his words, he thought generating a little power from the plants was fair.”

Target declined to comment on the specific incident but said in a statement that any installations on company property require prior approval.

No charges were filed. Authorities did, however, warn the teen that installing devices on private property without permission is not allowed, regardless of intent.

The devices were removed, and the teen agreed not to reinstall them.

Technology and energy experts said the case highlights how automated systems can misinterpret benign activity.

“Plant-microbial fuel cells are real, but they’re niche and unfamiliar to most people,” said Dr. Elaine Porter, an environmental engineering professor at Purdue University. “When you combine that with algorithms looking for patterns, you can end up with a lot of false alarms.”

Officials emphasized that the investigation was resolved quickly once the facts were clear.

“This wasn’t about shutting down curiosity,” Rourke said. “It was about making sure there wasn’t a risk to public safety.”

The teen’s family said he plans to continue experimenting with renewable energy projects, but this time on permitted land.

“He learned a lesson,” a family member said. “Mostly about where you’re allowed to plug into the world. And how Amazon is watching you.”