A man from New Mexico has been arrested and is now facing federal charges for two separate arson attacks—one at a Tesla dealership and the other at the state Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque. Court documents that were recently unsealed confirm the details of the arrest and investigation.
The suspect, named Jamison Wagner, is accused of setting fire to a Tesla showroom in Bernalillo on February 9. He also allegedly damaged several vehicles at the dealership. According to a federal complaint, Wagner spray-painted messages like “Die Elon,” “Tesla Nazi Inc,” and “Die Tesla Nazi” on the vehicles. Photos in the court documents show the vandalism as well as graffiti on the building itself. Surveillance video caught the suspect wearing all black, including a hoodie and a black face mask.
In a separate incident, Wagner is also accused of starting a fire on March 30 at the New Mexico Republican Party’s headquarters. This happened early in the morning. Firefighters who responded to the scene discovered graffiti on the south wall of the building that read “ICE=KKK.” Investigators say the spray painting style was very similar to what they saw at the Tesla dealership.
Wagner has been charged with arson of a building and/or vehicle that is used in interstate commerce. So far, he has not entered a plea, according to court records. A hearing to decide whether he will remain in custody while awaiting trial is scheduled for Wednesday.
ABC News tried to contact Wagner’s court-appointed federal public defender for comment but has not yet received a response.
Investigators say they were able to link Wagner to both arson cases through evidence collected at the scenes. This included explosive materials and other items. They also reviewed traffic camera images and other surveillance footage to track the suspect’s vehicle used in both attacks.
On Friday, law enforcement officers searched Wagner’s home and found several key pieces of evidence. This included more fully assembled incendiary devices, black and red spray paint, and clothing that matched what the suspect was seen wearing in surveillance videos from the crime scenes. Investigators also found a stencil with the phrase “ICE=KKK,” which matched the one used at the GOP office.
Wagner was taken into custody on Saturday. FBI Director Kash Patel made a statement saying that evidence from the scene strongly suggests Wagner may have been planning more arson attacks in the near future. Patel praised the FBI, the ATF, and local law enforcement for their work in stopping what could have been more dangerous incidents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also discussed Wagner’s arrest during a recent White House Cabinet meeting. She mentioned that there would be “another huge arrest” related to a Tesla dealership. Bondi added that prosecutors do not plan to negotiate a plea deal and will instead push for the toughest punishment available under the law.
In a follow-up statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Bondi said the government will seek up to 40 years in prison if Wagner is convicted. However, a judge will make the final decision.
According to Bondi, Wagner is the fifth person facing federal charges for attacks related to Tesla. Four others have already been arrested in similar cases. These suspects allegedly used Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla cars and charging stations in cities like Las Vegas, Salem, Oregon, Loveland, Colorado, and Charleston, South Carolina.
Bondi said these incidents are “nothing short of domestic terrorism” and warned that law enforcement will continue to take these crimes seriously.
Tesla has recently been the target of increased attacks. Many of them have taken place across different cities in the U.S. These incidents started happening more often after Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined the Trump administration as a part of the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.
In response to the attacks, Musk said last month that Tesla has increased its security efforts across the country to protect its properties, employees, and customers.
Patel, the FBI Director, confirmed that the investigation into the March fire at the GOP headquarters led to the evidence that identified Wagner. This connection helped authorities move forward with the arrest and charges.
Thankfully, no one was hurt during either of the incidents. Still, the Republican Party of New Mexico released a strong statement calling the March fire a “deliberate act of arson.” The party described the crime as “horrific” and said it was driven by hate and intolerance. They believe the attack was not just about damaging a building but was also meant to silence political opinions and take away freedom of speech.
Wagner’s case is now being closely watched, and many are waiting to see how the court will handle the situation. The maximum sentence he could receive is 40 years in prison, which sends a strong message about the seriousness of arson, especially when it’s politically motivated or involves public safety.
The investigation into related attacks on Tesla dealerships and charging stations continues. Officials haven’t ruled out the possibility of more arrests in the future. Law enforcement agencies say they are committed to protecting businesses, political organizations, and the public from violence and hate-fueled crimes.
This case is another reminder of the growing concerns about domestic terrorism and politically motivated attacks happening within the country. It also highlights the importance of surveillance, forensic evidence, and teamwork between federal and local law enforcement when handling complex cases like these.
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