MxM News

Quick Hit:

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that three individuals are facing severe federal charges for violent attacks against Tesla vehicles and charging stations. The suspects allegedly used Molotov cocktails and other incendiary devices in what Bondi labeled “domestic terrorism.” Each faces a minimum of five years in prison, with potential sentences of up to 20 years.

Key Details:

• Bondi warned that the Justice Department would aggressively prosecute anyone engaging in attacks on Tesla properties, stating, “The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended.”

• One suspect, armed with a suppressed AR-15 rifle, allegedly threw eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon.

• Bondi did not release the names of the suspects or specify the full list of charges but emphasized that these crimes will be met with severe legal consequences.

Diving Deeper:

On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against three individuals accused of violent attacks targeting Tesla properties in multiple states. The suspects allegedly used Molotov cocktails and other incendiary weapons to destroy Tesla vehicles and charging stations, prompting Bondi to classify the incidents as acts of “domestic terrorism.”

“The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” Bondi stated. “Let this be a warning: If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.”

The attacks spanned Oregon, Colorado, and South Carolina, according to DOJ officials. In Salem, Oregon, one suspect reportedly carried a suppressed AR-15 rifle while hurling Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership. In Loveland, Colorado, another suspect was apprehended after allegedly trying to set Tesla vehicles ablaze with similar incendiary devices. Authorities later found the individual in possession of additional materials capable of producing more firebombs.

A third suspect, operating in Charleston, South Carolina, allegedly defaced Tesla charging stations with anti-Trump graffiti before setting them on fire using Molotov cocktails.

While the Justice Department has not released the names of the suspects, each individual faces a minimum of five years in prison, with potential sentences reaching up to 20 years. Bondi reiterated that law enforcement is committed to stopping politically motivated destruction of private property, vowing aggressive prosecution for those responsible.

News release from the Alberta RCMP

On March 8, 2025, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers discovered and seized approximately 108 kg of cocaine following a secondary examination of a commercial transport vehicle at the Coutts port of entry in southern Alberta. The vehicle’s load originated from the United States and the drugs were hidden in the vehicle.

The Integrated Border Enforcement Team in Alberta, a joint force operation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, CBSA and Calgary Police Service, was notified and a criminal investigation was initiated into the individual.

Arshdeep Singh, 26, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:

• Importation of a controlled substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Singh is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lethbridge on May 7, 2025.

“Stopping dangerous drugs from coming into Canada is part of the CBSA’s commitment to keeping our communities and our streets safe. This significant seizure demonstrates the important work being done by our border services officers as we continue to secure and protect our border alongside our law enforcement partners, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service.”

• Ben Tame, Director, Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan District, Canada Border Services Agency

“Thanks to the collaboration between agencies, a significant load of cocaine was intercepted before it could bring harm to communities throughout Alberta and drug trafficking charges were laid against the driver. This successful operation highlights the importance of a strong and secure border as well as the teamwork and shared intelligence required to protect the public from the devastating impacts of illicit drugs.”

• Supt. Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity – Alberta, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region

“Working together with our law enforcement partners is key to stopping drug trafficking. By intercepting these drugs, which came through the USA, we’ve kept harmful substances out of our communities and collectively made our cities safer. Together, we remain committed to preserving public safety and disrupting these criminal organizations.”

• Supt. Jeff Bell, Criminal Operations & Intelligence Division, Calgary Police Service