Home / News / Colorado Man Federally Charged in Firebombing Attack at Tesla Dealership; AG Seeking 20-Year Sentence

Colorado Man Federally Charged in Firebombing Attack at Tesla Dealership; AG Seeking 20-Year Sentence

By - April 1, 2025
Views: 400

Loveland, CO – A 24-year-old Colorado man, Cooper Jo Frederick, has been federally charged for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado. The incident, which occurred on March 7, 2025, resulted in significant property damage and has been labeled by federal officials as an act of domestic terrorism. United States Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she will be seeking a 20-year federal prison sentence in the case, signaling the Department of Justice’s aggressive approach toward infrastructure-related violence.

Frederick was arrested in Plano, Texas, and has since been transferred to federal custody. He is facing multiple felony charges and is expected to be arraigned in federal court in Colorado in the coming weeks.

Details of the Attack

According to federal investigators, Frederick used an improvised incendiary device—a Molotov cocktail—to ignite a fire between two Tesla vehicles at the Loveland dealership late in the evening. Security cameras recorded the act, showing an individual dressed in dark clothing approaching the lot and throwing the device before fleeing the scene.

The fire caused damage to the vehicles and threatened to spread further into the dealership property, where several employees were working. Emergency responders were able to contain the fire, preventing injuries or additional structural damage.

Authorities say Frederick fled the state shortly after the incident, triggering a multi-agency manhunt that ultimately led to his arrest in Texas.

Federal Charges and Penalties

Frederick has been indicted on the following federal charges:

  • Arson of property used in interstate commerce

  • Possession of an unregistered destructive device

  • Use of fire to commit a federal felony

Each of these charges carries significant prison terms under federal sentencing guidelines. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that her office is seeking the maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, citing the calculated nature of the attack and the danger it posed to both people and property.

“All of these cases are a serious threat to public safety,” Bondi said. “Therefore, there will be no negotiating; we are seeking 20 years in prison.”

Bondi emphasized that the firebombing was not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend of politically motivated violence targeting infrastructure and businesses.

Context and Growing Pattern of Attacks

The Loveland Tesla attack is one of several similar acts across the country in recent months. According to the Department of Justice, Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and other facilities have been vandalized or attacked in states including South Carolina, Oregon, and Nevada. Some of the incidents have also occurred internationally, prompting federal authorities to form a special task force to investigate the wave of violence.

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has become a high-profile political figure due to his advisory role with the current administration and outspoken views on domestic and global policy issues. Officials believe the attacks are motivated, in part, by opposition to Musk’s political stances and Tesla’s association with federal clean energy initiatives.

Official Responses and Task Force Activity

Attorney General Bondi has characterized these acts as domestic terrorism and has launched a coordinated federal effort to identify and prosecute individuals involved. The new Tesla Infrastructure Protection Task Force, formed in collaboration with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is charged with investigating the growing list of incidents and providing additional security guidance to Tesla and other high-risk entities.

“We’ve made it clear—if you take part in the wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, we will find you, arrest you, and put you behind bars,” Bondi declared at a press conference announcing the charges.

Federal investigators credit collaboration between Colorado law enforcement and agencies in Texas for quickly locating and arresting Frederick.

Elon Musk and Tesla Respond

Elon Musk publicly responded to the Loveland firebombing, calling the act “domestic terrorism” and thanking law enforcement for their swift response.

“Attacking Tesla workers, property, or infrastructure is not a protest—it’s terrorism. Period,” Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We will not be intimidated, and we will continue our mission to build a sustainable future.”

Tesla has since increased security at many of its U.S. dealerships and charging locations, working in tandem with federal officials to ensure the safety of its employees and customers.

Public and Legal Reactions

The arrest has generated widespread commentary from legal experts and community leaders. Supporters of the Justice Department’s approach argue that the severity of the sentence sought is appropriate given the potential danger and symbolic nature of the crime.

Legal analyst Dana Clarke noted, “By classifying these incidents as acts of domestic terrorism, the DOJ is sending a message: attacks on infrastructure and politically symbolic businesses will be met with maximum legal consequences.”

Others have raised concerns about the broader implications of such prosecutions, particularly regarding how political expression and activism intersect with criminal liability. However, authorities insist that Frederick’s actions crossed a bright legal line from protest into violence.

Investigative Progress and Future Implications

Federal law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into the Loveland attack and similar incidents. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that Frederick was part of a larger network of individuals engaged in coordinated acts of sabotage. The FBI has urged the public to report any information that may relate to ongoing or planned attacks.

Meanwhile, Frederick remains in custody and has been denied bond. His preliminary hearing is expected to take place later this month. If convicted, he could serve the maximum 20-year sentence requested by the Department of Justice.

Conclusion

The federal charges brought against Cooper Jo Frederick mark a turning point in the government’s handling of politically motivated attacks on infrastructure and business entities. With the Department of Justice aggressively pursuing a 20-year sentence and the creation of a dedicated task force to protect companies like Tesla, federal authorities are clearly signaling that such attacks will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The case also underscores the growing concern among government officials and private sector leaders about the rise in domestic threats fueled by political polarization. As investigations continue, federal agencies are expected to maintain heightened vigilance over infrastructure targeted for ideological or political reasons.

References

Most Popular News