New Mexico man charged with arson at Tesla showroom, GOP headquarters

A New Mexico man is now under arrest and facing federal charges

The Justice Department accuses him of the recent arson at the Tesla Albuquerque showroom

and the Republican Party headquarters. 40-year-old Jameson Wagner of Albuquerque faces two federal counts of malicious damage

or destruction of property by fire or explosives. The fires in early February damaged two Tesla vehicles

In addition, graffiti spray-painted on the building and other Teslas said, Die Elon, Tesla Nazi Inc., and Die Tesla Nazi, along with swastika symbols

A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of New Mexico said

investigators also recovered a glass container with improvised napalm material in one of the damaged cars

Tesla dealerships, charging stations, even personal vehicles have been under attack as Tesla founder Elon Musk spearheads major government job and spending cuts

as head of the Trump administration's Department of Government Deficiency. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, quote

Hurling firebombs is not political protest. To perpetrators of all the shameful attacks on Tesla facilities and political establishments

we are coming for you. You can't hide and you will do serious jail time to pay for your crimes, end quote

In late March, an arsonist attacked the Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque

The fire damaged the front door and entry area Prosecutors say investigators collected glass and metal lids from separate glass containers that were similar to the glass containers with handwritten letters on them as at the Tesla scene

Graffiti with the phrase Ice KKK was written on the side of the building

Investigators used surveillance video showing a white Hyundai sedan at both scenes

and a single individual involved. Prosecutors say both arsons involved the use of homemade incendiary devices

utilizing glass containers and flammable liquids. Investigators identified Wagner by his physical appearance at both scenes

and determined that he owns a white 2025 Hyundai sedan. On Saturday, FBI and ATF agents went to Wagner's home in Albuquerque

where they say they found eight assembled suspected incendiary devices. Styrofoam egg cartons consistent with the improvised napalm material at the Tesla fires

Also, ignitable liquids and several jars with the same markings found at both scenes

as well as black and red spray paint matching the graffiti at each fire and ice KKK stenciling

Investigators say they also discovered the white Hyundai, believed used in the attacks, in Wagner's garage

Wagner has a court hearing Wednesday and will remain in custody until then

If convicted of the charges, he faces between 5 and 20 years in prison on each count

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