A Mesa man, identified as Ian William Moses, 35, was indicted on Wednesday by a federal grand jury on charges including Malicious Damage to Property in Interstate Commerce by Means of Fire, following an alleged arson attack on a Tesla dealership, as per a recent announcement by the Department of Justice. According to the indictment, Moses was caught on surveillance camera around 2:00 a.m., Monday, wearing a dark hoodie and mask, carrying a gas can and backpack at the Tesla property in Mesa, and later ignited a fire, damaging a vehicle and part of the building.
Video evidence purportedly shows Moses placing fire starter logs, pouring gasoline on them the building, and three Tesla cars before setting them alight destroying a silver Tesla Cybertruck, before fleeing on a bicycle; Mesa police subsequently apprehended him close to the dealership, his attire from the footage still on him, and a hand-drawn map of the area with the dealership marked with "T" found in his pocket. Attorney General Pamela Bondi warned that the Department of Justice takes acts of domestic terrorism seriously and will deploy the full extent of the law, with no room for negotiation.
"There is nothing American about burning down someone else’s business because you disagree with them politically," stated U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine, emphasizing that violence against Tesla is not a form of protest but a reprehensible act incompatible with Arizona's values and would be met with unwavering legal response. The ATF and the local law enforcement, including the Mesa Police Department, were praised for their swift and effective investigative efforts leading to the suspect's apprehension.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell expressed readiness to leverage her office's expertise to prosecute the case, highlighting a strong track record in dealing with similar crimes. Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost lauded Patrol officers and their decisive role in the investigation that contributed significantly to the successful operation. If convicted, Moses faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in prison plus potential fines up to $250,000 for each count of Malicious Damage to Property in Interstate Commerce, though it is critical to remember that an indictment only indicates charges, and guilt must be proven in court beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond K. Woo is handling the case's prosecution, which is a collaborative investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and the Mesa Police Department, along with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. For further details on the indictment and case progress, information can be accessed on the Department of Justice website through the case number 25-8272MJ and release number 2025-068_Moses.
