Three individuals accused of damaging Tesla cars and charging stations could potentially face up to 20 years in prison for acts labeled as “domestic terrorism,” as stated by US Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday. Bondi emphasized that the era of committing crimes with impunity is over.
Following the vandalism of a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, on February 11, 2025, Bondi issued a warning that those participating in such attacks on Tesla properties will face legal repercussions from the Department of Justice. The defendants, with cases spanning Colorado, Oregon, and South Carolina, are alleged to have utilized firearms and explosives to target property associated with the Elon Musk-owned car company, which has come under fire due to Musk’s connections to the Trump administration.
One of the accused individuals, Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, reportedly engaged in destructive actions at a Salem Tesla dealership in Oregon, including using a suppressed AR-15 rifle and Molotov cocktails. In a separate incident, Lansky allegedly returned to the dealership to further cause damage, resulting in charges related to unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm.
Similarly, Lucy Grace Nelson, 40, is facing charges of malicious destruction of property in Colorado after purportedly attempting to ignite Tesla vehicles and spray-painting derogatory terms on them before throwing Molotov cocktails. Meanwhile, Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, is accused of arson of property in interstate commerce in South Carolina for defacing Tesla charging stations with anti-Trump messages and setting them ablaze.
While the accused individuals could potentially receive lengthy prison sentences if found guilty, they have not been charged with “domestic terrorism” offenses. President Trump has expressed determination to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for targeting Teslas, categorizing them as domestic terrorists. Bondi’s stance on the charges possibly being elevated to domestic terrorism remains uncertain.
