- 20-year federal prison sentences proposed for Tesla property damage
- DOJ pursuing cases across 8 states with 3 confirmed arrests
- El Salvador prison transfer threat revives immigration policy debates
- Tesla stock drops 48% amid executive stock selloffs
- Musk shares Trump's warnings on social media platform X
President Trump's latest social media declaration has ignited fresh controversy in the automotive and legal sectors. Through an official Truth Social post, the president warned that individuals convicted of damaging Tesla properties could face extended prison terms in foreign detention facilities. This policy suggestion references previous immigration enforcement measures involving Central American nations.
The Seattle Tesla Supercharger attack on March 10 demonstrates the vandalism pattern authorities aim to combat. First responders discovered three Cybertrucks with melted battery packs caused by improvised incendiary devices. Local fire department reports indicate the blaze required specialized suppression techniques, costing taxpayers an estimated $235,000 in emergency response resources.
Legal experts highlight the unprecedented nature of combining property crime charges with potential international detention. While 18 U.S. Code § 844(i) permits 20-year sentences for damaging commercial property,notes Stanford Law professor Amanda Chen, the El Salvador transfer concept creates new constitutional questions regarding cruel and unusual punishment.
Industry analysts connect Tesla's security challenges to Musk's political alignment. Since the executive's February appointment to the DOGE department, Tesla showrooms have experienced a 73% increase in hostile incidents compared to 2024 figures. Security spending across dealerships has reportedly tripled, with some locations deploying 24/7 private surveillance teams.
The financial ramifications continue mounting as Tesla faces dual crises. SEC filings reveal four C-suite executives liquidated $97.8 million in shares during March's third week, while service centers report a 15% cancellation rate for Cybertruck reservations in western states. Automotive rivals Ford and Rivian have capitalized on the instability, offering $7,500 loyalty discounts to Tesla owners through Q2 2025.
Attorney General Bondi's Thursday statement escalates the legal stakes, classifying attacks as domestic terrorism. Federal prosecutors have secured indictments against suspects in Oregon, Colorado, and South Carolina using enhanced post-9/11 statutes. Court documents allege the use of military-grade accelerants in multiple incidents, including one attempt to disable a 40-stall charging hub outside Las Vegas.