'Domestic Terrorism': FBI speaks on arrest tied to Tesla, Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters
"Definitely homemade," FBI special agent in charge Raul Bujanda said. "The incendiary devices that were used by this individual were not necessarily very sophisticated."
"Definitely homemade," FBI special agent in charge Raul Bujanda said. "The incendiary devices that were used by this individual were not necessarily very sophisticated."
"Definitely homemade," FBI special agent in charge Raul Bujanda said. "The incendiary devices that were used by this individual were not necessarily very sophisticated."
The U.S. Department of Justice announced federal charges against Albuquerque resident Jamison Wagner, 40, on Monday, April 14, 2025. According to the FBI, Wagner is suspected of recent arson attacks targeted toward an Albuquerque Tesla showroom on Feb. 9, 2025, as well as the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters on March 30, 2025.
MORE: Man charged in fires at Tesla and New Mexico GOP Headquarters
On Monday, KOAT's Faith Egbuonu spoke exclusively to the FBI's special agent in charge, Raul Bujanda, on what led to Wagner's arrest. KOAT also spoke with RPNM's chairwoman, Amy Barela, following the announcement of federal charges.
Video Below: RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela speaks on arrest
KOAT reached out to The Democratic Party of New Mexico following Wagner's arrest. Their statement is below.
"There was no resistance on this part. He came out as directed. Nothing that would have stood out in his criminal history — and his background was not someone that would've let us just base solely on that, that would say this is a person that's responsible for either one of these locations. So, this was someone that was motivated by different things," FBI special agent in charge Raul Bujanda told KOAT.
Faith Egbuonu: Do you guys suspect that he acted alone or could someone else be involved as well?
Bujanda: Can't really say that at this point, but it's an ongoing investigation
Egbuonu: We've seen similar attacks across the country with Tesla. Is there a possible link to that as well?
Bujanda: We're trying to see, 'Was there a connection with these other investigations that are happening in other states across the country? Or is this more of a copycat because of those incidents that are happening across the countries?'
Related: Republicans and Democrats condemns suspected 'arson' attacks investigation at GOP headquarters
According to investigators, graffiti was spray-painted in red and black paint on the building and six other vehicles, including “Die Elon,” “Tesla Nazi Inc,” and “Die Tesla Nazi,” along with swastika symbols.
"The Senate of Pueblo is Indian country. Tesla sits on Indian country, if you notice some of the protests that are happening. This has been a joint investigation from the start with ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives], a great partner, they're looking at it from the arson piece of it and we're looking from the domestic terrorism front because of the evidence that was collected at that scene," Bujanda said.
"No one's considered guilty until they had their day in court, but we found additional evidence that led us to believe that this was a person that is suspected at both of these sites as being connected and being someone — this is an ongoing investigation, but someone that would be connected to both fires that happened at both different locations," Bujanda told KOAT.
Domestic Terrorism
"That is why on the FBI side it was worked by the JTTF [Joint Terrorism Task Force] and this is why we're treating it as a domestic terrorism investigation on top of ATF's arson investigation. That's why it's a joint investigation to include obviously when you're talking by JTTF, it's a task force setting," Bujanda said.
"Definitely, Albuquerque PD was a big part of that to include New Mexico DOJ. We couldn't have done it without our state and local partners to include even the search and the actual arrests that happened on Saturday," Bujanda said.
"So when we're talking about domestic terrorism, there's always a kind of attachment and nuance because it is connected to civil rights, so possible hate crimes. So, it's always safest for us to approach it as a domestic terrorism investigation. And then, as we continue moving forward, we can find out which direction we're going to go," Bujanda said.
'Homemade Devices'
"He's definitely educated. He is not someone that did his research based on the evidence that we found at his location," Bujanda said.
On April 12, 2025, agents from the FBI and ATF executed a search warrant at Wagner’s residence in Albuquerque without incident. Inside, investigators uncovered substantial evidence linking him to both arson attacks, including:
- A white cardboard box containing eight assembled suspected incendiary devices.
- Blue Styrofoam egg cartons consistent with the polystyrene material found in the improvised napalm used in the Tesla fire.
- Materials for manufacturing additional incendiary devices and ignitable liquids consistent with the gasoline used at both fire scenes.
- A jar with a green gingham-style lid similar to one found at the RPNM fire scene, along with several jars marked with handwritten capital letters “I” or “H,” similar to markings seen on lids recovered from both arson sites.
- Black and red spray paint matching the graffiti used at both crime scenes.
- A stencil bearing the phrase “ICE=KKK,” consistent with graffiti found at the RPNM fire scene.
- Investigators determined that both arsons involved the use of homemade incendiary devices utilizing glass containers and flammable liquids. The resulting investigation connected Wagner as a significant person of interest for both crime scenes. Among other links, Wagner’s physical description matches that of the suspect in the available surveillance footage and investigators determined that Wagner owns a white 2015 Hyundai Accent.
"Definitely homemade. These are things that you could find at any local grocery store pretty much at that point. The incendiary devices that were used by this individual were not necessarily very sophisticated, but definitely, there was evidence that was similar to these types of devices that we used at both locations that we found in his home," Bujanda told KOAT.
Charges
According to the FBI, Wagner is charged with two counts of malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing which has not been set. Wagner faces 5 to 20 years for each count.
- Arson (two counts)
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI Albuquerque Field Office are jointly investigating the case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and the New Mexico Department of Justice.
“Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence,” United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated in Monday's press release. “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”
MORE: Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas set on fire
Republican Party of New Mexico chairwoman, Amy Barela Interview
According to Barela, the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters is currently being repaired which costs thousands of dollars in damages. Their grand opening is on May 31, 2025.
"By using violence to intimidate and silence people that you don't agree with is not The way democracy stands, the way it works. I am thankful that the people that are responsible for any kind of violence and silencing people are going be convicted. I'm glad this has federal attention, the FBI. Hopefully more arrests will happen soon," Barela told KOAT in an interview on Monday.
"It should be extremely clear. Our FBI worked it very swiftly to find and apprehend this criminal. And I know that they will do the same again over and over. So, I just advise people not to do it. I seen that Pam Bondi is going to be prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law where she's looking at 40 years," Barela added.
"I hope that anybody that is considering doing the same kind of acts can take that into consideration sitting in prison for the next 40 years— in federal prison for the next four years. The FBI and the ATF did an amazing job linking all the evidence together, and I look forward to this case being prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Barela told KOAT.
Democratic Party of New Mexico statement
KOAT reached out to the Democratic Party of New Mexico following Wagner's arrest. Spokesperson Daniel Garcia sent the following statement:
"The Democratic Party of New Mexico is grateful to law enforcement for capturing and charging a suspect for recent arson and vandalism at the Tesla showroom in Bernalillo and the Republican Party of New Mexico office. Should this individual be found guilty, we hope the U.S. Department of Justice holds them accountable. Politically motivated violence and vandalism are never acceptable." — Daniel Garcia
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download it here.