Albuquerque, New Mexico – A man has been charged by the Justice Department for allegedly vandalizing a Tesla dealership and setting fire to the state Republican Party headquarters in New Mexico, court records revealed on Monday. The suspect, identified as Jamison R. Wagner, 40, faces federal arson charges for the incidents, which occurred in February at the Tesla dealership in Bernalillo and last month at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters.
The criminal complaint accuses Wagner of setting fire to two Tesla Model Y vehicles at the dealership, along with spray-painting swastika symbols on windshields and messages like “Die Elon” and “Die Tesla Nazi.” Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is closely linked to President Donald Trump and has been involved in significant downsizing efforts within the government.
The arrest is part of an ongoing federal crackdown on what Attorney General Pam Bondi described as domestic terrorism directed towards properties associated with Musk’s company. Bondi highlighted federal law enforcement’s efforts to address vandalism aimed at Tesla vehicles in recent weeks during a Cabinet meeting.
Apart from the incident at the Tesla dealership, Wagner is also charged in connection with a fire that severely damaged the entrance and caused smoke damage throughout the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters. Additionally, spray paint with the message “ICE=KKK” was found near the building entrance.
In response to Wagner’s arrest, New Mexico Republican Party Chair Amy Barela expressed gratitude towards federal investigators and condemned the fire as an attack on democratic values. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that justice is served for the incident.
Following a search of Wagner’s residence, investigators discovered incendiary devices, spray paint, and stencils with inflammatory messages. Wagner was ordered to remain in detention pending a hearing, and his attorney has not issued a statement in response to the charges.
The Justice Department has pursued charges against four other individuals involved in similar attacks on Tesla vehicles using Molotov cocktails. A task force organized by the FBI has been coordinating efforts with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate these incidents. Bondi has indicated a firm stance on prosecution, stating that there will be no negotiation or plea deals for those charged in connection with the Tesla attacks.