Jamison Wagner, a 40-year-old Albuquerque resident described as a Lipstick-Wearing Man Arrested and federally charged for two arson attacks targeting a Tesla showroom and the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) headquarters.
The incidents, occurring in February and March 2025, involved firebombing and vandalism with politically charged graffiti, leading authorities to classify them as acts of domestic terrorism. Wagner’s arrest, driven by forensic evidence and surveillance, has sparked attention due to his distinctive appearance and the broader wave of attacks on Tesla facilities linked to ideological motives.
The Arson Attacks: Calculated Vandalism
Wagner is accused of executing two arson incidents in Albuquerque. The first occurred at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom in Bernalillo at around 3:15 a.m. on February 9, 2025. Two Tesla Model Y vehicles were damaged, one extensively, and the building was defaced with red and black graffiti reading “Die Elon,” “Tesla Nazi Inc,” and “Die Tesla Nazi,” with swastikas replacing some letters.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recovered an intact glass container with a green metal lid containing a blue, gelatinous substance identified as improvised napalm. Surveillance footage captured a tall individual, later identified as Wagner, wearing black clothing, a mask, and carrying a white box, exiting a white 2012–2015 Hyundai Accent.
The second attack targeted the RPNM headquarters just before 6 a.m. on March 30, 2025. Homemade incendiary devices, made from glass containers and flammable liquids, caused a fire that damaged the front entrance and filled the building with smoke.
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Graffiti reading “ICE=KKK” was spray-painted on the south wall, approximately 50 feet from the entrance. Investigators found shattered glass and metal lids, two marked with a handwritten “I” or “H,” similar to the lid at the Tesla scene. Footage again showed a white Hyundai Accent parked nearby before the fire.
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No injuries were reported, but the attacks caused significant property damage, destroying two Tesla vehicles and disrupting RPNM operations. The consistent use of specific lids, graffiti style, and the Hyundai Accent linked the incidents, pointing to a single perpetrator with a clear ideological agenda.
Investigation and Arrest: Closing the Net
Wagner’s arrest on April 13, 2025, resulted from a joint investigation by the FBI, ATF, Albuquerque Police Department, and other agencies. On April 12, 2025, a search of Wagner’s Albuquerque residence yielded critical evidence: eight assembled incendiary devices in a white cardboard box, blue Styrofoam egg cartons matching the polystyrene in the Tesla napalm, black and red spray paint consistent with the graffiti, and a jar with a green gingham-style lid resembling one found at the RPNM fire. Several jars bore handwritten “I” or “H” markings, mirroring those at both scenes.
Wagner, who owns a white 2015 Hyundai Accent, matched the suspect’s description—over 6 feet tall, light-skinned—and was identified in surveillance footage. The search also uncovered clothing and a stencil with “ICE=KKK,” directly tying him to the RPNM attack.
FBI Director Kash Patel noted that Wagner appeared to be planning further attacks, crediting agents with preventing additional violence. Wagner faces two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i), each carrying a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi underscored a firm stance, stating, “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”
She confirmed no plea deals would be offered, reflecting the case’s classification as part of a “wave of domestic terrorism.” Wagner, who has not yet entered a plea, awaits a detention hearing, with prosecutors advocating for his continued custody given the evidence of ongoing criminal intent.
Broader Implications: A Polarized Climate
Wagner’s attacks are part of a broader surge in violence against Tesla facilities, with the FBI documenting incidents in at least nine states since January 2025, including arson, gunfire, and vandalism.
These acts, often accompanied by graffiti condemning Tesla CEO Elon Musk as a fascist or political adversary, coincide with Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has driven controversial federal reforms. The RPNM attack, with its “ICE=KKK” graffiti, suggests additional motives tied to immigration policies, though Wagner’s specific intentions are still under investigation.
An electrical engineer at SolAero Technologies and a member of the LGBT group “500 Queer Scientists,” Wagner’s portrayal as a “lipstick-wearing man” stems from his driver’s license photo, fueling media attention but also debate over its relevance to the case.
Critics argue the focus on his appearance risks overshadowing the severity of the charges. The case highlights the intersection of political polarization and violence, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stating, “Hurling firebombs is not political protest; it is a dangerous felony.”
The arrests of Wagner and others in related cases across states like Nevada, Oregon, and Colorado signal a federal crackdown on politically motivated attacks.
The case underscores the need for advanced forensic and surveillance capabilities to address evolving domestic terrorism threats, as well as the challenge of distinguishing free expression from violent acts in a polarized environment.
Tesla’s role as a target, despite its focus on electric vehicles, reflects the complex dynamics of public perception and political rhetoric, raising questions about how to prevent such attacks without stifling dissent.