A man has been charged with serious crimes after vandalizing a Tesla dealership in New Mexico and setting fire to the headquarters of the state Republican Party. Court documents revealed that Jamison R. Wagner, 40, faces federal arson charges linked to the incidents that occurred in February.
At the Tesla showroom in Bernalillo, two Tesla Model Y vehicles were discovered on fire. Authorities found graffiti messages expressing hostility, including phrases like “Die Elon” and “Die Tesla Nazi.” Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has been a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, who has been focused on reducing the size of the federal government.
Wagner’s arrest is part of a broader federal initiative targeting acts of domestic terrorism against property associated with Musk’s electric car company. During a recent Cabinet meeting, Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing vandalism related to these attacks.
In addition to the Tesla incident, Wagner is also implicated in a fire at the New Mexico Republican Party’s headquarters, which caused significant damage and left a stark message painted on the building: “ICE=KKK.”
When law enforcement searched Wagner’s home and garage, they found several assembled incendiary devices, along with spray paint and a stencil that was reportedly used in the vandalism.
Wagner’s attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment. The Justice Department has also launched several other cases against individuals accused of similar attacks, including those using Molotov cocktails against Tesla vehicles and fire stations. The FBI is coordinating efforts to investigate these incidents.
Bondi indicated that there would be no plea deals offered to those involved in the attacks on Tesla, stating firmly that negotiations would not be considered.
