In a significant development, federal authorities have apprehended a 40-year-old resident of New Mexico in connection with several arson incidents targeting both a Tesla showroom and the local Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque.
Jamison Wagner faces two federal charges of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives, as per a statement released by the Department of Justice on Monday.
The arrest of Wagner is part of a broader trend involving criminal cases related to attacks on Tesla properties. The electric vehicle manufacturer, headed by Elon Musk, has recently found itself at the center of controversy linked to his management of a government initiative under President Donald Trump.
The Tesla showroom, which was set ablaze during an incident on February 9, was also vandalized with derogatory phrases including “Die Elon,” “Tesla Nazi Inc,” and “Die Tesla Nazi,” according to the DOJ.
The fire at the GOP headquarters on March 30 also showcased inflammatory graffiti, with phrasing such as “ICE=KKK” found on the building’s southern wall, as detailed in the criminal complaint filed against Wagner.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the severity of these actions, stating, “Hurling firebombs is not political protest. It is a dangerous felony that we will prosecute to the maximum extent.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on social media later that day, asserting that evidence collected at the crime scene indicated that agents had likely prevented additional planned arson offenses.
Wagner remains in custody as he awaits a detention hearing, according to the DOJ.
If found guilty, Wagner could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each offense.
Requests for comment from Tesla and Elon Musk have not yet been responded to by Finance Newso.
Investigators connected Wagner to both incidents through surveillance footage, as reported by the DOJ.
A search warrant executed at Wagner’s residence revealed significant evidence linking him to the crimes, including a box containing eight “suspected incendiary devices” and a stencil of the phrase “ICE=KKK,” according to government sources.
— Finance Newso’s Lora Kolodny contributed to this report.
