U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced federal charges against Cooper Frederick, accused of firebombing a Tesla dealership in Colorado on March 7.
"I’ve made it clear: If you take part in the wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, we will find you, arrest you, and put you behind bars," Bondi said in a video posted to X.
"Let this be a warning. You can run, but you cannot hide. Justice is coming," she added.
Cooper Jo Frederick, 24, was previously arrested on 14 March for the incident. He was charged under state law with two counts of possessing an incendiary device and one count each of manufacturing an incendiary device, criminal mischief amounting to $5,000 to $20,000, and using an incendiary device in a felony.
Bondi described the attack as a "firebombing" and a "serious threat to public safety." She confirmed that the Justice Department is seeking a 20-year prison sentence for Frederick. The FBI’s investigation led to his arrest in Plano, Texas, with court records showing that he is to be transported back to Colorado for prosecution.
President Donald Trump has previously suggested that those who attack Tesla properties should be classified as domestic terrorists. He has even proposed that convicted offenders be sent to El Salvador to serve their sentences.
Since Trump took office in January, attacks on Tesla have surged, with incidents involving vandalised vehicles, damaged charging stations, and dealership fires. Some privately owned Tesla cars have also been targeted.
Meanwhile, peaceful protests erupted across the United States and parts of Europe on Saturday, as demonstrators voiced opposition to Elon Musk’s role in Trump’s administration. The protests focused on Tesla dealerships and vehicles, aiming to weaken Musk’s financial empire.
Musk, the world’s richest man, now leads the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump, where he has gained access to sensitive data and initiated drastic cuts to government agencies. Critics argue that his policies have contributed to public unrest, as he continues to run Tesla while wielding significant political influence.
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