DOJ charges 'queer scientist' for torching Tesla, GOP offices in Albuquerque

A 40-year-old Albuquerque resident was arrested for two vandalism attacks in the area. One, against a Tesla dealership, in early February; another, against a New Mexico Republican Party office, at the end of March.

Both occurred at night, on a weekend day. Graffiti was painted on both ("Tesla Nazi Inc" on the first, "ICE = KKK" on the second) and gasoline was chosen as the accelerant for the flames. Behind both, moreover, would be the same name: Jamison Wagner.

The evidence against him includes material found in his house and images from security cameras. These point against him both for the vehicle he drives - a white 2015 Hyundai Accent - and for his physical characteristics: a light-skinned man over 6 feet (1.80 meters).

At his residence, moreover, authorities found clothing similar to that used in the Tesla attack. They also found eight devices that looked like homemade firebombs, flammable liquids and spray paint. Added to that was a stencil for graffiti reading "ICE = KKK," the same words painted on the vandalized GOP office:

"Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence: we will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate," asserted Attorney General Pam Bondi. "Crimes have consequences."

In Wagner's case, the consequences could be up to 40 years behind bars. For the time being, he will remain in police custody pending a hearing on his arrest whose date has not yet been set.

Although neither the investigators nor the defendant have yet commented on the motives behind the attacks, the choice of the two locations points to possible animosity against the Administration and the Republican Party.

Musk claimed after learning of the arrest that Wagner had a "long history of violence," although he did not offer further details.

The 500 Queer Scientists website has a profile with Wagner's name and photo, who is listed as "queer" and "an electrical engineer." The Washington Free Beacon asserts that his Facebook profile shows he is a registered Democratic voter and supports progressive causes, with messages such as "All Cops Are Bastards."

"Wide-scale domestic terrorism"

"We will continue to locate and arrest those responsible for these acts of domestic terrorism," FBI Director Kash Patel vowed, alluding to the series of attacks on vehicles, dealerships and shippers of Elon Musk's automobiles.

Just weeks ago the bureau asked the public to remain vigilant in the face of attacks on Tesla, perpetrated, they detailed, by lone attackers overnight:

"Individuals require little planning to use rudimentary tactics, such as improvised incendiary devices and firearms and may perceive these attacks as victimless property crimes."

The government has in unison condemned these attacks. Musk himself, the company's CEO and a member of the Administration team, described the attacks as "wide-scale domestic terrorism," calling for their organizers to be identified.