Federal Charges Filed Against Man for Arson of Tesla Cybertruck in Arizona
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal charges against Ian Moses, accused of setting a Tesla Cybertruck on fire in Arizona, marking a significant escalation in attacks against Elon Musk’s properties.
In a striking escalation of attacks against Tesla properties, Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced federal charges against Ian Moses, a 35-year-old man accused of arson involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Mesa, Arizona. The incident, which occurred near the Tesla Service Center, saw Moses allegedly lighting the brand-new vehicle on fire and vandalizing the dealership with graffiti reading “THEIF” (sic). The attack, which took place just before 2 a.m., led to no injuries but resulted in significant damage to the Cybertruck.
Bondi emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating on X, “If you engage in domestic terrorism, this Department of Justice will find you, follow the facts, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. No negotiating.” The Mesa Police Department, responding to the scene, found smoke and flames emanating from the Cybertruck and quickly apprehended Moses after identifying him through security photos near a suspicious van.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on Elon Musk’s companies, seemingly in protest of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Just weeks prior, a Missouri Tesla dealership was firebombed, an act FBI Director Kash Patel condemned as “dangerous” and “illegal.” The FBI, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, is committed to holding accountable those who perpetrate such crimes.
As the legal process unfolds, the case against Moses serves as a stern reminder of the consequences of engaging in acts of vandalism and terrorism against private property.