A Las Vegas man has been charged for using a Molotov cocktail to torch several Teslas at a local Tesla Collision Center last week.
36-year-old Paul Hyon Kim was arrested last Wednesday by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after he used a Molotov cocktail to set five Tesla cars on fire at the dealership in what is being described as a politically motivated attack.
Kim has been hit with charges for crimes ranging from destruction of property, arson, and possessing a fire device, according to records from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
However, those charges are the least of Kim's worries as the Department of Justice is getting involved and Kim will also be facing federal charges.
Spencer Evans, the FBI agent-in-charge of the bureau's Las Vegas office, told reporters on Thursday that Kim's act of political violence, or terrorism, will land him a lengthy prison sentence.
In an address to the media, Evans stated, "There's nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community. The self-righteous mob that's cheering you on today to commit acts of violence on their behalf will leave you high and dry and forget about you tomorrow. And at the end of the day, you and you alone will be held responsible and face the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence."
Kim attempted to hide his identity when he attacked the Tesla dealership by concealing his face and wearing gloves and black clothing. He also damaged surveillance cameras with a rifle to further protect his identity, an effort that failed.
Five vehicles were destroyed in the attack, with another unlit Molotov cocktail found in another vehicle by police.
To confirm that this act of violence was political in nature, Kim spraypainted the leftist slogan "Resist" on the front doors of the dealership.
Police also confirmed that Kim has links to communist groups and Palestinian activist organizations, making it clear that this act of violence was political in nature, meaning Kim could face charges of domestic terrorism.
Terrorism is often defined as the use of violence and intimidation, often targeting innocent civilians, in order to achieve political aims. This factor is why the FBI is involved and why Kim could be going to prison for a very long time.
After discovering Kim's DNA at the scene, police searched his apartment and two vehicles, where they found multiple firearms, including rifles, a shotgun, a handgun, and gun parts, as well as ammunition.
The Trump administration is pursuing charges against multiple individuals for attacking Tesla cars and dealerships around the nation, and many charges carry a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison for a range of violent acts.
Should terrorism be added onto these charges, that eliminates the possibility of parole or any early release for these offenders.
Considering the damage done by Kim and the overtly political nature of his attack, it is highly likely that he will be spending the next couple of decades locked up in a federal prison.
