3 Tesla Attackers May Face Jail Upto 20 Years As US Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Charges For Molotov Cocktails

Washington: United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi on Thursday announced charges against three individuals responsible for the violent destruction of Elon Musk’s Tesla properties. All three individuals will face the full force of the law for using Molotov cocktails to set Tesla cars and charging stations on fire.

Outlining the punishments for the three rioters, Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that they would face a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison.

Announcing the charges, Pamela Bondi said in a statement, “The days of committing crimes without consequences 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.”

What we know about three rioters who targeted Tesla properties

The Justice Department has levelled charges against Lucy Grace Nelson, Daniel Brendan Kurt Clarke-Pounder and Adam Matthew Lansky in the alleged vandalism case of Tesla cars, its showrooms and other assets in Colorado, South Carolina and Oregon.

According to the Justice Department, one of the accused who armed with a suppressed AR-15 rifle, was arrested after throwing approximately eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla showroom in Salem, Oregon.

Another accused, who attempted to set Tesla cars on fire with Molotov cocktails, was arrested in Loveland. The rioter was also found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons.

The third accused wrote profane messages against President Trump around Tesla charging stations before setting the stations on fire with Molotov cocktails.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized that each accused will face serious charges, with penalties ranging from a minimum of five years to a maximum of 20 years in prison.

In a separate statement, the Justice Department reaffirmed its commitment to ending all acts of violence and arson directed at Tesla properties.

Elon Musk and his Tesla properties under attack

Since Donald Trump ’s return to the White House following a decisive victory in the 2024 US Presidential elections, and with Elon Musk heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as one of Trump’s key advisors, the billionaire entrepreneur’s Tesla properties have become a target of protests and vandalism starting as early as January.

Anti-Trump and anti-Musk rioters have been targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and factories. By March, at least 10 incidents had been reported across the United States where Tesla properties were attacked by unruly mobs unhappy with Trump’s election victory and Musk’s involvement in the government.

Places across the United States where Tesla properties have been vandalised or set on fire include Seattle, Washington, Lynnwood, Portland, Oregon, Arizona, Loveland, Kansas, North Charleston, Owings Mills, Littleton and Dedham.