On Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal charges have been brought against a man dubbed the “Tesla attacker.” He is accused of setting a brand-new Cybertruck ablaze in Arizona.
Ian Moses, 35, was previously charged with arson concerning both a structure and property.
Along with allegedly igniting the vehicle, Moses faces accusations of spray painting “THEIF” (with a misspelling) on the side of the dealership where the incident took place.
“If you take part in domestic terrorism, this Department of Justice will track you down, follow the evidence, and prosecute you to the maximum extent of the law,” Bondi stated on X. “There will be no discussions.”
The Mesa Police Department arrested a suspect after a Tesla dealership was vandalized on Monday morning. (KSAZ-TV)
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The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. on Monday near the Tesla Service Center in Mesa, Arizona.
Responding officers reported seeing smoke and flames coming from a Cybertruck, according to the Mesa Police Department.
Authorities claim the 35-year-old vandalized the Tesla dealership in Mesa, Arizona, and set a Cybertruck on fire. (KSAZ-TV)
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Footage from KSAZ-TV showed police surrounding the dealership and cordoning off the damaged vehicle.
Moses was identified through security camera images and was found close to a suspicious van parked nearby.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 14, 2025. (Pool via AP)
This attack follows a series of violent incidents targeting Elon Musk’s companies as part of protests against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
After a firebombing at a Missouri Tesla dealership on April 18, allegedly carried out by a college student on spring break, FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the actions as both “dangerous” and “illegal.”
“We will collaborate with our partners at the Department of Justice to ensure that anyone involved in such crimes is held responsible,” Patel stated.
