New Mexico man charged with arson at Tesla showroom, GOP headquarters
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Apr 15, 2025
A New Mexico man faces federal charges after authorities arrested him in connection with the arson of a Tesla showroom and GOP headquarters.
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A New Mexico man is now under arrest and facing federal charges
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The Justice Department accuses him of the recent arson at the Tesla Albuquerque showroom
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and the Republican Party headquarters. 40-year-old Jameson Wagner of Albuquerque faces two federal counts of malicious damage
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or destruction of property by fire or explosives. The fires in early February damaged two Tesla vehicles
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In addition, graffiti spray-painted on the building and other Teslas said, Die Elon, Tesla Nazi Inc., and Die Tesla Nazi, along with swastika symbols
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A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of New Mexico said
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investigators also recovered a glass container with improvised napalm material in one of the damaged cars
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Tesla dealerships, charging stations, even personal vehicles have been under attack as Tesla founder Elon Musk spearheads major government job and spending cuts
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as head of the Trump administration's Department of Government Deficiency. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, quote
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Hurling firebombs is not political protest. To perpetrators of all the shameful attacks on Tesla facilities and political establishments
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we are coming for you. You can't hide and you will do serious jail time to pay for your crimes, end quote
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In late March, an arsonist attacked the Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque
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The fire damaged the front door and entry area Prosecutors say investigators collected glass and metal lids from separate glass containers that were similar to the glass containers with handwritten letters on them as at the Tesla scene
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Graffiti with the phrase Ice KKK was written on the side of the building
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Investigators used surveillance video showing a white Hyundai sedan at both scenes
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and a single individual involved. Prosecutors say both arsons involved the use of homemade incendiary devices
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utilizing glass containers and flammable liquids. Investigators identified Wagner by his physical appearance at both scenes
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and determined that he owns a white 2025 Hyundai sedan. On Saturday, FBI and ATF agents went to Wagner's home in Albuquerque
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where they say they found eight assembled suspected incendiary devices. Styrofoam egg cartons consistent with the improvised napalm material at the Tesla fires
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Also, ignitable liquids and several jars with the same markings found at both scenes
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as well as black and red spray paint matching the graffiti at each fire and ice KKK stenciling
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Investigators say they also discovered the white Hyundai, believed used in the attacks, in Wagner's garage
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Wagner has a court hearing Wednesday and will remain in custody until then
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If convicted of the charges, he faces between 5 and 20 years in prison on each count
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