The US Department of Justice has charged a man with the recent arson attacks targeting a Tesla dealership in New Mexico and the state headquarters of US President Donald Trump's Republican Party, according to court records unsealed on Monday.
A criminal complaint charges Jamison R Wagner, 40, with federal arson-related crimes in the March fire incident and the vandalism in February at a Tesla dealership.
Wagner's arrest is part of a federal crackdown on what US attorney general Pam Bondi has described as a "wave of domestic terrorism" against properties bearing the logo of billionaire Elon Musk's electric car company Tesla.
Besides being the world's richest person and CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, as well as owner of X (formerly Twitter), Musk is a close ally of Donald Trump. He leads the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, which has helped engineer a massive downsizing of the federal government and purge of employees.
In recent months, the US has witnessed several anti-Musk protests, with demonstrations taking place in European cities as well.
Who is Jamison Wagner ?
According to the New York Post, Wagner, a resident of Albuquerque in New Mexico, is a member of "5OO Queer Scientists," and LGBT group. On the group's website, he describes himself as a queer and an electrical engineer. He is a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, with specialty in electromagnetics/plasma physics.
What is Wagner accused of?
On March 30, an arson attack occurred at the Albuquerque headquarters of the New Mexico Republican Party. The fire badly burned the entrance and caused extensive smoke damage throughout the office, authorities said. Republican representatives also found spray paint on the side of the building about 50 feet (15 meters) from the entrance, saying "ICE=KKK," according to New Mexico Republican Party chair Amy Barela.
While ICE stands for the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, KKK means Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist and far-right group.
During a search of Wagner's home and garage on Saturday, investigators also found eight assembled suspected incendiary devices, black and red spray paint and a cardboard stencil with the phrase "ICE=KKK" that had red spray paint on it, according to court papers.
On February 9, authorities in New Mexico's Bernalillo found Tesla's two Model Y vehicles ablaze, and swastika symbols on windshields and spray-painted graffiti messages including "Die Elon" and "Die Tesla Nazi." The investigation connected Wagner as a significant person of interest.
Also Read: Elon Musk defends 'Nazi' hand gesture by sharing snaps of leaders and celebrities in similar poses
He was ordered to remain detained pending a detention hearing. An attorney for him did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The suspect faces up to 40 years in jail if convicted of both charges.
A criminal complaint charges Jamison R Wagner, 40, with federal arson-related crimes in the March fire incident and the vandalism in February at a Tesla dealership.
Wagner's arrest is part of a federal crackdown on what US attorney general Pam Bondi has described as a "wave of domestic terrorism" against properties bearing the logo of billionaire Elon Musk's electric car company Tesla.
Besides being the world's richest person and CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, as well as owner of X (formerly Twitter), Musk is a close ally of Donald Trump. He leads the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, which has helped engineer a massive downsizing of the federal government and purge of employees.
In recent months, the US has witnessed several anti-Musk protests, with demonstrations taking place in European cities as well.
Who is Jamison Wagner ?
According to the New York Post, Wagner, a resident of Albuquerque in New Mexico, is a member of "5OO Queer Scientists," and LGBT group. On the group's website, he describes himself as a queer and an electrical engineer. He is a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, with specialty in electromagnetics/plasma physics.
What is Wagner accused of?
On March 30, an arson attack occurred at the Albuquerque headquarters of the New Mexico Republican Party. The fire badly burned the entrance and caused extensive smoke damage throughout the office, authorities said. Republican representatives also found spray paint on the side of the building about 50 feet (15 meters) from the entrance, saying "ICE=KKK," according to New Mexico Republican Party chair Amy Barela.
While ICE stands for the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, KKK means Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist and far-right group.
During a search of Wagner's home and garage on Saturday, investigators also found eight assembled suspected incendiary devices, black and red spray paint and a cardboard stencil with the phrase "ICE=KKK" that had red spray paint on it, according to court papers.
On February 9, authorities in New Mexico's Bernalillo found Tesla's two Model Y vehicles ablaze, and swastika symbols on windshields and spray-painted graffiti messages including "Die Elon" and "Die Tesla Nazi." The investigation connected Wagner as a significant person of interest.
Also Read: Elon Musk defends 'Nazi' hand gesture by sharing snaps of leaders and celebrities in similar poses
He was ordered to remain detained pending a detention hearing. An attorney for him did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The suspect faces up to 40 years in jail if convicted of both charges.
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