Man Arrested and Charged for Tesla Arson Incident in Las Vegas
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Synopsis
A Las Vegas resident has been arrested for his involvement in a violent arson attack on Tesla vehicles. Paul Hyon Kim faces multiple charges, including arson and possession of an unregistered firearm, following an investigation into the incident that left five Tesla vehicles damaged.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Hyon Kim arrested for Tesla arson.
- Charges include arson and unlawful firearm possession.
- Incident involved Molotov cocktails and gunshots.
- Potential prison sentence ranges from 5 to 20 years.
- Attack part of a broader trend against Tesla.
Los Angeles, March 28 (NationPress) A resident of Las Vegas has been arrested and charged in relation to a violent Tesla arson incident that occurred in the Nevada city earlier this month, officials announced.
Paul Hyon Kim, 36, faces charges stemming from a criminal complaint that includes one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of arson, as stated by the US Department of Justice on Thursday.
Kim was taken into custody by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers on Wednesday and is currently held in federal custody, according to the Xinhua news agency.
This Las Vegas resident made his first court appearance on Thursday in US District Court to address federal charges connected to an arson at a Tesla collision center, as noted in the statement.
"Today's federal charges reflect our robust partnerships and cooperative efforts with law enforcement to combat domestic terrorism," commented Acting US Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada.
As per the allegations in the complaint, on March 18, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers responded to an emergency call regarding someone setting vehicles on fire and discharging gunshots at the Tesla collision business.
The investigation revealed that Molotov cocktails and a .30 caliber AR-style firearm were utilized to damage and destroy five Tesla vehicles, alongside graffiti reading "Resist" sprayed on the building's front.
If found guilty, Kim could face a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison for the unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm charge, plus a mandatory minimum of five years up to a maximum of 20 years for the arson charge, as the statement further detailed.
Kim's attack on the Tesla service center in Las Vegas is part of a troubling trend targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations nationwide, protesting CEO Elon Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency.
"Has there ever been such a level of coordinated violence against a peaceful company?" Musk posted on social media platform X last week, adding, "I understand not wanting to buy a product, but this is extreme arson and destruction."
Last week, US President Donald Trump expressed his support for Musk, labeling the violence against Tesla as domestic terrorism.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi also condemned the attacks on Tesla as "nothing short of domestic terrorism" and revealed charges against three individuals linked to the violent destruction of Tesla properties.
"Let this serve as a warning: if you participate in this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will ensure you face justice," Bondi stated.
