A five-year prison sentence has been handed down to the individual responsible for a deliberate act of arson at a Tesla dealership in Mesa, Arizona. Ian William Moses, who previously admitted guilt, received the mandatory minimum sentence from U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa, followed by a period of supervised release.
The crime unfolded in the early hours of April 28th, 2025. Surveillance footage revealed Moses, disguised in a hooded sweatshirt, ballcap, mask, and boots, arriving at the dealership shortly before 2:00 a.m. He carried with him a red gas can and a black backpack, tools of a calculated and dangerous plan.
Captured on video, Moses strategically placed fire starter logs against the building and doused them, along with three Tesla vehicles, in gasoline. The act was swift and deliberate; at 1:38 a.m., he ignited the logs, unleashing a blaze that completely consumed a silver Tesla Cybertruck.
Moses then calmly departed the scene, escaping on a dark-colored bicycle. The arson wasn't an isolated incident, but part of a larger wave of vandalism targeting Tesla properties last year. This unrest stemmed from public reaction to the company’s founder’s political activities and associations.
Federal authorities were unequivocal in their condemnation of the act. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine emphasized that arson has no place in political discourse, highlighting the severe risk posed to both the public and emergency responders. The potential for deadly consequences was chillingly real.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the escalating tensions and the dangerous intersection of political frustration and criminal behavior. It underscores the fragility of public safety when ideological disagreements devolve into acts of violence and destruction.
