Las Vegas Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Tesla Collision Center Arson

A Las Vegas man who admitted to using a firearm and Molotov cocktails to destroy and damage vehicles and property at a Tesla-branded repair facility in March 2025, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 240 months in prison.

“The Department of Justice has been clear: anyone who participates in domestic terrorism will suffer severe legal consequences,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “There is no place for violence as a means of resolving political differences in our democracy. We will continue to work with our federal and local partners to prevent, disrupt, and deter unlawful acts of violence, whatever their motive remains.”

“Today’s sentencing highlights the undeniable power of task force partnerships,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “Keeping our streets safe requires unified action across local, state, and federal lines. Our badges may be different, but we stand completely united against crime.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours on March 18, 2025, Paul Hyon Kim shot out two exterior security cameras at the Tesla Collision Center Las Vegas with a .300 Blackout AR-platform semiautomatic rifle. He spray-painted the word “RESIST” in large capital letters on the double entrance doors. Kim then fired several shots into Tesla vehicles parked in front of the repair facility. Next, Kim threw three Molotov cocktails into three vehicles; two exploded and erupted into flames, and a third did not detonate. In total, five vehicles were destroyed beyond repair. Kim fled on foot to his car, then drove away.

Read more: Department of Justice