Authorities have arrested a suspect they believe is responsible for two separate arson attacks in New Mexico earlier this year.
Wagner was allegedly involved in the firebombing of a Tesla showroom in February, as well as the arson attack at the state Republican headquarters in March.
Investigators allege they have been able to link Wagner, a resident of Albuquerque, to both incidents through surveillance footage and evidence at the scene, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
On Feb. 9, a fire was reported at the Tesla Albuquerque dealership just before 3:15 a.m. Two Tesla Model Y vehicles were damaged in a parking lot outside of the showroom.
In the second arson attack on March 30, a fire was reported just before 6 a.m. at the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters. The arson badly damaged the front door and lobby area. The words “ICE=KKK” were also spray-painted on the building.
Investigators determined that both arsons involved the use of homemade incendiary devices using glass containers and flammable liquids, according to a press release by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Additionally, Wagner’s physical description matched that of the suspect in surveillance footage. The suspect also owns a white 2015 Hyundai Accent, the vehicle captured on security cameras.
The FBI and ATF on April 23 conducted a search warrant on Wagner’s residence, where they found “substantial evidence” that connected him to the two crimes, according to the DOJ. This includes black and red spray paint matching the graffiti at both scenes. Materials for making incendiary devices and flammable liquids consistent with the gasoline used at both fire scenes were also recovered at Wagner’s residence, the department said.
Saturday’s arrest is part of a major federal crackdown that Attorney General Pam Bondi has described as a wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, currently a special government employee and presidential advisor leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE is a cost-cutting advisory agency tasked by President Donald Trump to identify waste, fraud, and abuse in the government through conducting spending audits of federal departments.
Wagner has been charged with two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives.
He will remain in custody until a detention hearing, which has not yet been scheduled. Wagner faces between five and 20 years in prison for each count if convicted.
