Attorney General Announces Federal Charges for Tesla Dealership Attacks

‘If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars,’ Pam Bondi says.

(L) In an image from video, a person identified as Adam Matthew Lansky throws a Molotov cocktail at Tesla vehicles at a dealership in Salem, Ore., on Jan. 20, 2025. (R) Damage to one of the vehicles. U.S. Department of Justice via The Epoch Times

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on March 20 warned people against carrying out attacks on Tesla dealerships or products, as she announced that three individuals who allegedly did so are facing federal charges.

“The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” Bondi said in a statement. “Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a White House adviser who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Daniel Clarke-Pounder, one of the alleged criminals, was charged with arson of property in interstate commerce after authorities said they identified him as the man who vandalized and set fire to a Tesla charging station in North Charleston, South Carolina, according to charging documents filed on March 14.

Clarke-Pounder, who was released on March 17 while the case against him proceeds, has not yet entered a plea. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

In another incident, Adam Matthew Lansky was charged with illegal possession of a destructive device, according to a criminal complaint lodged on March 3 and later unsealed.

Lansky was identified as the person who threw Molotov cocktails at Tesla vehicles and a dealership in Salem, Oregon, on Jan. 20, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in an affidavit. The attack caused an estimated $500,000 in damage.

Lansky returned to the dealership on Feb. 29 and allegedly fired gunshots into it, causing additional damage, according to the court filing. FBI analysis found Lansky’s fingerprints on items found at the scene.

During his initial court appearance, Lansky waived a preliminary hearing and the reading of the criminal complaint and was ordered detained as a danger. His arraignment is set for April 3.

Lansky’s attorney did not respond to an inquiry.

The third person charged is Justin Thomas Nelson, who currently goes by Lucy Grace Nelson.

Nelson was charged with malicious destruction of property after law enforcement identified him as the individual who spray painted “Nazi” on a sign at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, on Feb. 2, according to an affidavit filed later in February.

Nelson was arrested at the same dealership on Feb. 24 and is also suspected of setting a fire near a Tesla Cybertruck there in January.

Nelson pleaded not guilty during a March 11 hearing and is set to go on trial in May.

Each of the three people faces at least five years, and up to 20 years, in prison if convicted.