Rachel C. Hernandez Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona | U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
On April 30, 2025, a federal grand jury in Phoenix indicted Ian William Moses, 35, of Mesa, Arizona. Moses faces charges of maliciously damaging property and vehicles in interstate commerce through the use of fire.
According to the charging documents, Moses was present at the Tesla dealership in Mesa shortly before 2 a.m. on April 28, 2025. He wore a dark hooded sweatshirt, a tan ballcap, grey pants, black boots, and a black mask while carrying a red plastic gas can and a black backpack. Surveillance videos captured Moses placing fire starter logs next to the dealership building and pouring gasoline on the logs, the building, and three Tesla vehicles. At approximately 1:38 a.m., Moses ignited the fire starter logs, resulting in a blaze that destroyed a silver Tesla Cybertruck. He reportedly departed the dealership on a dark colored bicycle soon after.
Mesa police officers apprehended Moses around a quarter mile from the dealership at approximately 3 a.m. Still dressed in the same attire seen on the video, he was found with a hand-drawn map of the area, which marked the dealership's location with the letter “T”.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “If you engage in domestic terrorism, this Department of Justice will find you, follow the facts, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. No negotiating.”
Dan Driscoll, the ATF Acting Director, commented, “ATF’s Special Agents and forensic investigators, working with the FBI and local partners, quickly recovered and analyzed critical evidence following this deliberate attack. This attack poses a serious threat to public safety, and the ATF remains committed to aggressively pursuing anyone who endangers our communities through violence or destruction.”
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine remarked, “There is nothing American about burning down someone else’s business because you disagree with them politically. These ongoing attacks against Tesla are not protests, they are acts of violence that have no place in Arizona or anywhere else. If someone targets Tesla with violence, they will be found and confronted with the full force of the law.”
Brendan Iber, ATF Special Agent in charge, recognized the work of the local authorities: “I would like to recognize the dedicated work of the Mesa Police and Mesa Fire Departments on this case. Cooperation with our law enforcement partners acts as a multiplier in our efforts to remove violent criminals from the streets and make our communities safer. The professionalism and extensive investigative knowledge of the police and fire investigators within our arson taskforce cannot be overstated.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced her office's involvement, saying, “My office will be engaged in this investigation, and I’m pleased to be able to share our expertise. We have a high level of success in prosecuting these types of crimes. My office stands ready to assist our federal law enforcement partners in the prosecution of this individual.”
Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost applauded the efforts of district patrol officers, “I would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Superstition District Patrol officers who played a crucial role in this investigation. Their swift action in identifying and monitoring the suspicious van parked near the dealership was critical to the success of this operation. I am truly grateful for their diligent police work. Special thanks also go to the Mesa Police specialty units and the partnering agencies involved. Your collaboration was instrumental in bringing this suspect to justice and enhancing the safety of our community.”
Each charge of malicious damage to property in interstate commerce carries a sentence ranging from a minimum of 5 years to a maximum of 20 years and a fine of $250,000.
An indictment charges an individual with criminal activity but does not imply guilt. Guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury.
The investigation is being managed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, Mesa Police Department, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond K. Woo, from the District of Arizona, is prosecuting the case.
