The US Justice Department arrested and charged 40-year-old Jamison Wagner about two high-profile New Mexico arsons. Wagner, who works at SolAero Technologies as an electrical engineer, was charged with two federal counts of malicious damage or destruction of property using fire or explosives.
Authorities suspect that Jamison Wagner is to blame for incendiary bomb attacks on March 30, on the office of the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM), and on Feb. 9, on a Tesla showroom in Albuquerque. Damage was extensive for two vehicles as well as from graffiti comparing Elon Musk and Tesla to Nazis.
No Plea Bargains, Says AG Pam Bondi
Attorney General Pam Bondi made a stern statement, calling for zero tolerance for political violence. “Let this be the last lesson to those participating in this continuing wave of political violence,” Bondi stated. “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”
Bondi also assured that Wagner would not be given any plea deals. In an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters, she said, “I have instructed my prosecutors not to make any offers. He is going away, if convicted, for 40 years.”
Jamison Wagner’s Alleged Motives and Background
Jamison Wagner is also a member of LGBT group “500 Queer Scientists” per public records. He may spend as many as 40 years behind bars if convicted of both charges.
The Tesla attack is among a series of incidents attacking the electric car firm amid attacks on Elon Musk’s role in the Trump government’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk has been criticized for unleashing drastic cost-cutting initiatives.
FBI Declares Incidents as Domestic Terrorism
FBI Director Kash Patel discussed the incidents on social media, posting on X, “The FBI has been investigating the spike in violent activity against Tesla, and the past few days have seen us take further measures to crack down and coordinate our response. This is domestic terrorism. They will be pursued, apprehended, and brought to justice.”
The Justice Department is still pursuing further connections to other such attacks.