Washington, D.C. – In a high-profile federal case, three individuals have been indicted on multiple charges for their roles in a string of coordinated attacks targeting Tesla facilities across multiple U.S. states. The Justice Department announced that Adam Matthew Lansky, Lucy Grace Nelson, and Daniel Clarke-Pounder face federal charges of arson, conspiracy, and destruction of energy infrastructure, following a months-long investigation into the violent incidents.
The Biden administration and the Justice Department have categorized the attacks as acts of “domestic terrorism,” citing the severity of the crimes and the calculated nature of the operations. The trio, currently in federal custody, is accused of damaging Tesla charging stations and vehicle fleets in Colorado, Oregon, and South Carolina, using improvised incendiary devices, including Molotov cocktails.
Details of the Indictment
According to court documents, the defendants are alleged to have participated in a deliberate plot to sabotage Tesla properties. Surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and social media posts tied the suspects to at least three separate incidents between January and March 2025. Authorities claim the attacks resulted in significant property damage, disrupted Tesla’s charging network in key regions, and endangered public safety.
The charges include:
- Conspiracy to commit arson against energy infrastructure
- Use of fire to commit a federal felony
- Destruction of property affecting interstate commerce
Each charge carries maximum sentences ranging from five to twenty years in federal prison. Prosecutors have signaled they intend to seek enhanced penalties under anti-terrorism statutes, given the critical infrastructure component of the targeted facilities.
Statements from Officials
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the attacks as a “premeditated campaign of domestic terrorism against a company vital to the American clean energy economy.” In a press conference, Bondi stated, “The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism, and we will pursue the full weight of the law to ensure these individuals are held accountable.”
Bondi added that Tesla’s charging stations and production facilities have been deemed critical infrastructure under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines, elevating the seriousness of the charges.
White House Response and International Dimension
President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter, suggesting that individuals convicted of attacks on critical infrastructure could potentially serve prison sentences in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We are going to start moving these domestic terrorists to prisons where they’ll think twice before ever attempting something like this again.”
The remark has raised questions about the administration’s recent cooperation with El Salvador’s government, as the CECOT facility has drawn international attention for its ultra-strict measures targeting gang members and violent criminals.
While the idea of transferring U.S. citizens convicted of federal crimes to foreign prisons is legally and diplomatically complicated, the administration has not ruled it out. Legal experts suggest that such a move could spark constitutional challenges, but the White House maintains it is exploring “all lawful options” to deter future attacks.
Investigation and Background
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and multiple state law enforcement agencies launched a joint investigation into the attacks after an initial incident at a Tesla Supercharger site in Eugene, Oregon, in early January. Similar attacks followed in Denver, Colorado, and Charleston, South Carolina, with vandals targeting key Tesla charging hubs and service vehicles.
Authorities say all three suspects were arrested in a coordinated operation last week and were found in possession of homemade incendiary devices, tactical gear, and anti-corporate manifestos referencing Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
An affidavit filed in court indicates that the suspects were inspired by anti-tech extremist groups and sought to disrupt Tesla’s expansion of its charging network, which plays a central role in national efforts to promote electric vehicles.
International Cooperation with El Salvador
In recent months, the U.S. and El Salvador have intensified security collaboration, particularly on counterterrorism and transnational crime. While the U.S. has a longstanding policy of deporting foreign nationals who commit crimes domestically, this case has generated new discussions about whether American citizens convicted of terrorism-related charges could be sent abroad to serve sentences in facilities like CECOT.
CECOT, El Salvador’s mega-prison designed to house the country’s most dangerous criminals, has been internationally scrutinized for its austere conditions, including strict isolation practices, overcrowding, and limited legal recourse for inmates.
Legal analysts caution that extraditing or relocating American inmates to foreign facilities is likely to face significant pushback from human rights groups and could lead to complex legal challenges under U.S. constitutional protections.
Public Reaction
Public reaction has been mixed. Supporters of the administration’s hardline stance on terrorism and infrastructure sabotage have praised the crackdown, while civil liberties organizations have expressed concern about the human rights implications of sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons with questionable conditions.
Tesla has yet to comment directly on the charges but released a brief statement expressing gratitude to law enforcement agencies for swiftly responding to the threats and ensuring the safety of its customers and employees.
Next Steps
The defendants are scheduled to appear in federal court in the District of Oregon next week for arraignment. Federal prosecutors have indicated they will seek pre-trial detention, arguing that the suspects pose a flight risk and a continued threat to public safety.
In the meantime, the Department of Justice is expected to announce additional security measures for Tesla infrastructure nationwide and is continuing to investigate whether the three suspects were acting as part of a larger network.
References
- New York Post. (2025, March 20). Pam Bondi accuses 3 Tesla vandals of ‘domestic terrorism’ after string of attacks. Retrieved from https://nypost.com
- Axios. (2025, March 21). Trump suggests sending Tesla vandals to El Salvador prisons. Retrieved from https://www.axios.com
- Reuters. (2025, March 20). U.S. attorney general says alleged arsonists targeting Tesla face federal charges. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com
- CNN. (2025, March 21). Tesla attackers could face terror charges, Trump proposes foreign prison transfer. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com