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A Missouri teenager is facing the possibility of spending decades behind bars after being charged in a federal case involving arson, destruction of property, and the use of a destructive device.
Nineteen-year-old Owen McIntire has been indicted following a March incident at a Kansas City Tesla dealership. Prosecutors allege McIntire used a homemade incendiary device to target two Tesla Cybertrucks, causing fire damage at the scene. No injuries were reported.
McIntire has pleaded not guilty to charges that include malicious destruction of property and possession of an unregistered destructive device. Federal law mandates a minimum sentence of five years on some charges, but McIntire could face up to 30 years if convicted on all counts.
The Department of Justice has framed the incident as part of a broader crackdown on politically motivated violence. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned in a press statement that acts of arson against public or private property would be met with severe consequences. “You will not evade us. You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars,” Bondi stated.
Court filings revealed that McIntire is undergoing gender-affirming medical care and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and depression. These details emerged during the pretrial release hearing, where his legal team successfully argued for supervised release, citing his lack of prior criminal history.
While authorities have not confirmed whether the case is being investigated as politically motivated, Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk have increasingly become targets of activism. In a separate incident, another individual vandalized a Tesla service center with political graffiti supporting transgender rights and criticizing both Musk and former President Trump.
Surveillance footage of McIntire’s alleged attack has not yet been released to the public. Witnesses reportedly described the suspect wearing women’s clothing during the incident, according to independent journalist Andy Ngô.
McIntire’s legal team has not issued a public statement regarding the case. A trial date has yet to be scheduled.
The incident has reignited debates around protest, mental health, and political extremism in the United States—particularly when ideological grievances escalate into violent acts against private corporations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36gnLF32Qbg
