The Department of Justice has announced that it has filed charges against three suspects for “domestic terrorism” attacks targeting Tesla. The charges come after there have been a slew of violent attacks targeting the company amid left-wing backlash against Elon Musk for working with the Trump administration.
According to a press release, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended. Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.”
One defendant “was arrested after throwing approximately eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership located in Salem, Oregon,” the release said. “Another was arrested in Loveland, Colorado after attempting to light Teslas on fire with Molotov cocktails,” it adds, later saying, “a third defendant wrote profane messages against President Trump around Tesla charging stations before lighting the charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails” in South Carolina.
Each is facing up to 20 years in prison and a minimum of five years.
According to Fox News, the suspect in Salem, Oregon is Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, who was arrested and charged after allegedly shooting up a Tesla dealership in Salem as well as throwing Molotov cocktails that “struck a dealership building and several vehicles.”
In the case of Charleston, South Carolina, the defendant is Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, who was arrested and charged in connection to setting fire to Tesla charging stations. He reportedly ended up lighting himself on fire as well. Clarke-Pounder was granted bond on Monday while in federal court, according to ABC4 News.