Tesla Vandals Eye Potential 20-Year Prison Sentence, Warns Attorney General

Three defendants facing vandalism charges against Tesla may incur lengthy prison sentences, as officials label their actions as acts of domestic terrorism.

In a stern announcement on Thursday, US Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that three individuals accused of vandalizing Tesla properties could confront up to 20 years in prison. The vandalism, which includes extensive damage to Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging infrastructure, has been characterized as domestic terrorism by Bondi herself.

This follows a pattern of attacks at Tesla locations nationwide, linked to protests against Elon Musk and his ties to the Trump administration. The DOJ’s statement underscored that while there is no specific law against domestic terrorism in the United States, harsher sentencing can be pursued if a crime is deemed to have a terror-related motive.

Protests against Tesla have escalated, with supporters of the Trump administration also reportedly becoming victims of swatting—armed police raids triggered by false emergency calls. Both Trump and Musk have condemned the attacks, referring to them as domestic terrorism.

The Department of Justice did not publicly disclose names of the defendants involved in the recent vandalism; however, details in their press release align with charges previously made public.

Among the accused is 42-year-old Lucy Nelson, who was arrested for having a destructive device and malicious property damage in connection to a Molotov cocktail incident at a Tesla dealership in Colorado. The damage caused to the dealership is estimated to be between $5,000 and $20,000. Nelson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

41-year-old Adam Matthew Lansky faces similar charges for throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April. The third defendant, 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder, has been charged with arson for allegedly attacking Tesla charging stations in North Charleston, South Carolina, where he also vandalized the area with spray paint.

In her statement, Bondi asserted: "The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended." She issued a stark warning to potential perpetrators: involvement in this series of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties may lead to significant prison time.

If convicted, the defendants could face sentences ranging from five to 20 years. The BBC reached out to lawyers representing the accused for comment.