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Tesla dealership and GOP Headquarters vandal arrested
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ALBUQUERQUE — United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced charges against an Albuquerque man tied to both the Tesla Dealership vandalism in Santa Ana Pueblo and the GOP Headquarters arson in Albuquerque.
Federal charges were filed against Jamison Wagner, 40, of Albuquerque, in connection with both arson attacks, the FBI announced Monday. Investigators linked Wagner to both incidents through surveillance footage and scene evidence.
“Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence,” said Bondi. “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”
These charges stem from a March 12 FBI investigation looking into the vandalism of the Tesla Dealership on the corner of US 550 and NM 528. At the time, cars had been set on fire and swastikas had been spray-painted on the building.
Then, on March 30, the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters was set ablaze. Sandoval County’s party heads reacted to the incident, condemning the violence. However, at the time, Republican Party of Sandoval County chair Beth Dowling implied that the Democrats were responsible.
She blamed rhetoric from local and national representatives. Greg Bennett, Sandoval County Democrat and chair of the party, stated he didn’t believe that to be true.
The Tesla location in Santa Ana has been subjected to protests from the local Democrat Party, however. Community members with signs reading “no swasticar” and “no Musk” have been seen on the intersection’s medians on Thursdays and Saturdays since mid-March.
There are several community members protesting in favor of Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on the corner of NM 528 and Southern Boulevard the past couple of Saturdays as well. One sign April 12 read “We love Elon.”
There is no indication that Wagner was a part of either group or protest.
“Hurling firebombs is not political protest,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “It is a dangerous felony that we will prosecute to the maximum extent. The impressive work by law enforcement in New Mexico sends a clear message to perpetrators of all of the shameful attacks on Tesla facilities and political establishments: We are coming for you, you can’t hide, and you will do serious jail time to pay for your crimes.”
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FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest was part of national efforts. “Thank you to our agents and support teams in Albuquerque who did an outstanding job executing the mission. Under Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, we will continue to locate and arrest those responsible for these acts of domestic terrorism, and the FBI will work with partners at the Department of Justice to ensure such lawbreakers face justice.”
Wagner is charged with two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Wagner faces between five and 20 years in prison for each count.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI Albuquerque Field Office are jointly investigating the case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and the New Mexico Department of Justice.
Additional agencies responded to the arson scenes or otherwise provided valuable assistance, including the Santa Ana Pueblo Police Department, the Sandoval County Fire Department, the New Mexico State Fire Marshals Office, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.
