US attorney general threatens 20-year jail sentences for damaging Elon Musk's Tesla cars

The US attorney general has said three people alleged to have damaged Tesla cars and charging stations could be jailed for up to 20 years.

Pamela Bondi announced unspecified charges against three people who used Molotov cocktails in what she called a "wave of domestic terrorism".

It comes as US safety regulators recalled almost all Cybertrucks from Elon Musk's company due to a "dangerous road hazard" that increases the risk of a crash.

It is the eighth recall of the Tesla vehicle for safety problems in 15 months.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall, which covers more than 46,000 Cybertrucks, warned that an exterior panel that runs along the left and right sides of the windshield can detach while driving.

In a statement on the three people charged with damaging Tesla cars and charging stations, Ms Bondi said: "The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended.

"Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars."

The department said one of those arrested threw eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon. This defendant was also armed with a suppressed AR-15 rifle.

Another is alleged to have attempted to set on fire Tesla cars using Molotov cocktails in Loveland, Colorado, and was later found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons.

The third person wrote "profane messages against President Trump" around Tesla charging stations before setting stations on fire with petrol bombs in Charleston, South Carolina, the department said.

Each of the three people arrested faces charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years, and up to 20 years in prison, the statement added.

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Tesla showrooms, charging stations and privately-owned cars have been repeatedly targeted since the billionaire was appointed by Donald Trump to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that is slashing US government spending.

As well as the attacks and recalls, Tesla has been struggling due to increased competition from rival electric vehicles, particularly out of China.

Though largely unaffected by Thursday's recall announcement, Tesla shares have plummeted 42% in 2025.

(c) Sky News 2025: US attorney general threatens 20-year jail sentences for damaging Elon Musk's Tesla cars