Tesla’s Las Vegas operations were targeted in what authorities are calling an act of “domestic terrorism” last week, with multiple vehicles set ablaze. Now, law enforcement has apprehended the suspect behind the attacks.
Last Tuesday around 2:45 a.m., security footage captured a figure dressed entirely in black approaching the Tesla service center at 6260 Badura Avenue. Individual proceeded to damage at least five Tesla vehicles in the parking lot, throwing Molotov cocktails that set multiple cars on fire. The perpetrator also spray-painted “resist” on doors of the collision center before fleeing in what investigators identified as a black Hyundai Elantra.
Paul Hyon Kim, 36, has been arrested in connection with the Tesla vandalism. Initially booked into Clark County Detention Center on 15 counts including arson and destroying property valued at over $5,000, Kim was quickly transferred to federal custody. Suspect appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah, who ordered him held until a detention hearing scheduled for Friday.
The charges carry significant penalties—up to 20 years imprisonment for the arson charge and an additional 10 years for unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm.
The Justice Department has taken a firm stance on the incident, classifying it as part of what they describe as a “wave of domestic terrorism” targeting Tesla properties.
“The Department of Justice has been clear: anyone who participates in the wave of domestic terrorism targeting Tesla properties will suffer severe legal consequences,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated. “We will continue to find, arrest, and prosecute these attackers until the lesson is learned.”
During his initial court appearance, Kim indicated he might hire private counsel, though he was initially assigned a public defender. Case is being prosecuted jointly by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Operskalski and attorney Patrick Cashman from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The swift response to this Tesla vandalism comes amid heightened concerns about targeted attacks on the electric vehicle manufacturer’s facilities across the country. As investigations continue, authorities haven’t yet revealed a motive for Kim’s alleged actions against the Tesla service center.
Regardless of what sparked this incident, it seems this Tesla terror suspect won’t be motoring away from serious consequences.
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