Within the past few weeks, protests have rolled through Tesla showrooms nationwide. Each of these peaceful protests have snowballed into acts of vandalism and arson. The damage inflicted on Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations is being labeled as domestic terrorism by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. There is no single, specific U.S. law prohibiting domestic terrorism. Federal prosecutors have more tools to pursue longer prison sentences, should they prove that the crimes were committed with maliciously inspired terror-related intentions.
In Colorado, a Tesla dealership was protected from the brunt of a Molotov cocktail attack and graffiti didn’t get damaged as a Tesla dealership. Lucy Nelson, 42, was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device and malicious destruction of property. The total damages Nelson caused were between $5,000 and $20,000.
In Oregon, Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, is charged with possessing a destructive device. He reportedly crashed a van filled with explosives into a Tesla dealership in Salem. In North Charleston, South Carolina, 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder is charged with felony arson. He allegedly used Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla charging stations, authorities say.
Impact and Legal Consequences
These alarming occurrences have understandably brought serious concerns to the forefront regarding the safety and security of Tesla’s properties across the United States. The suspects — Lucy Nelson, Adam Matthew Lansky, and Daniel Clarke-Pounder — are facing up to five to 20 years in prison if convicted. This as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi just highlighted the seriousness of this issue.
“The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” said Pam Bondi.
The Justice Department did not identify the suspects in its announcement on Thursday. Yet the prosecutors had already formally declared their participation. The three suspects are expected to return to court for a preliminary hearing in April.
What the Author Thinks
These criminal acts targeting Tesla dealerships and properties are more than just acts of vandalism; they are intended to incite fear and disrupt a business. The severity of the actions calls for strict penalties to deter future incidents. Domestic terrorism should never be tolerated, and these offenders must face the full extent of the law, sending a clear message that violent disruptions to business operations will not go unpunished.
