*Related video: AFR investigates fire, vandalism at Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Federal charges have been filed against an Albuquerque man, 40-year-old Jamison Wagner, in connection to the arson attacks at Albuquerque’s Tesla showroom and the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) headquarters.
On February 9, two Tesla vehicles were damaged in an arson attack at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom. The building was also damaged that day with graffiti phrases like “Telsa Nazi Inc.” and swastika symbols spray painted in red and black paint on the showroom’s exterior walls.
Nearly two months later, on March 30, Albuquerque’s RPNM office was damaged in an arson attack. At both scenes, investigators located matching glass containers of improvised flammable mixtures with distinctive green lids.
According to federal investigators, Wagner was linked to the fires through surveillance footage of the suspect, footage of a white Hyundai Accent, and matching scene evidence. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Raided Wagner’s Albuquerque residence on Saturday, April 12.
At his house, investigators found assembled fire-starting devices, ingredients matching the flammable mixtures found at the scene, a jar with a similar green lid, black and red spray paint, and a stencil bearing the phrase “ICE=KKK,” which matched the graffiti sprayed on the RPNM office.
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Jamison Wagner. (Credit: Department of Justice) -
Jamison Wagner is accused of arson attacks at a Tesla Dealership on Feb. 9, 2025, in Bernalillo and at the Republican Party of New Mexico Office in Albuquerque on March 30, 2025. (Credit: Department of Justice) -
Jamison Wagner is accused of arson attacks at a Tesla Dealership on Feb. 9, 2025, in Bernalillo and at the Republican Party of New Mexico Office in Albuquerque on March 30, 2025. (Credit: Department of Justice) -
Tesla Albuquerque dealership vandalism. Feb. 9, 2025. (Credit: Department of Justice) -
Tesla Albuquerque dealership vandalism. Feb. 9, 2025. (Credit: Department of Justice)
Wagner is facing two counts of malicious damage of destruction of property by fire and will stay in custody while he awaits his detention hearing on Wednesday, April 16. If convicted, Wagner faces between five and twenty years behind bars for each count.
“Hurling firebombs is not political protest,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “It is a dangerous felony that we will prosecute to the maximum extent.” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, “Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence. We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”