(NewsNation) —Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal charges Thursday for three defendants who were allegedly responsible for the recent arson attacks and vandalism on Tesla property.
The three defendants allegedly used Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla cars and charging stations.
“The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” Bondi said in a statement. “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.”
One defendant person was arrested after throwing approximately eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership located in Salem, Oregon.
Another was arrested in Loveland, Colorado, after attempting to light Teslas on fire with Molotov cocktails.
A third person was taken into custody in Charleston, South Carolina after writing profane messages against President Trump around Tesla charging stations before lighting the charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails.
They face charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison.
Tesla vandalism continues
Despite the new federal focus on the incidents, Tesla owners across the country are still seeing vandalism happen.
Peter Katz of Chicago, Illinois, said someone put a swastika on his car, with a sticker that said “Heil Elon.”
Tesla drivers have been trading in their cars at record highs this past month.
Research firm Cox Automotive predicts U.S. sales of Tesla fell by 10% in February. Across Europe, new Tesla deliveries were down about 50% in February compared to the same time last year, according to Electrek.