A 19-year-old student accused of launching a politically motivated firebombing attack on a Tesla dealership in Kansas City is now free, thanks to a federal judge’s decision that has stunned law enforcement and drawn sharp condemnation from Trump administration officials.
Owen McIntire, a student at the University of Massachusetts Boston, was arrested after allegedly targeting Tesla’s Kansas City dealership with Molotov cocktails on March 17. According to police and federal agents, the firebombs caused extensive damage, torching two brand-new Cybertrucks and destroying two EV charging stations—collectively worth more than $210,000.
Despite the serious nature of the attack and the potential charges—which include unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage by fire of property used in interstate commerce—U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica Hedges agreed to release McIntire from federal custody ahead of trial.
McIntire’s defense attorneys argued that he has no prior criminal record and suffers from multiple mental health conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, depression, and gender dysphoria. They claimed these factors, along with his “strong ties” to the community in Missouri, warranted his release.
Judge Hedges apparently agreed, ordering his release even though federal prosecutors noted the deliberate, premeditated nature of the crime and the use of incendiary weapons.
The Department of Justice released a detailed account of the incident. According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal complaint, a Kansas City police officer witnessed smoke pouring from a gray Tesla Cybertruck late on March 17. The officer found a still-unbroken Molotov cocktail near the vehicle, evidence that McIntire had more destruction planned. The blaze soon spread to another nearby Cybertruck, both vehicles valued at over $100,000 each.
Authorities were able to extinguish the fire, but not before it caused severe damage. Investigators quickly tied the attack to McIntire, who was later apprehended and charged.
Trump administration officials did not hold back in their response. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a blistering statement: “Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us. You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”
Bondi’s comments reflect growing frustration within the Trump administration over what they see as inconsistent standards for prosecution—particularly when it comes to politically motivated violence. Under President Trump’s second term, the Department of Justice has ramped up efforts to crack down on attacks targeting American companies, infrastructure, and individuals connected to conservative or pro-business causes.
“This is the kind of double standard that erodes public trust in the rule of law,” one senior DOJ official told reporters. “We have people serving years in prison for minor, nonviolent infractions, and then we have someone accused of tossing Molotov cocktails at high-value property being sent home with a slap on the wrist.”
Critics say Judge Hedges’ ruling sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that a clean record or mental health claims can now shield suspects from pretrial detention—even when the alleged crime involves violence and explosives.
McIntire’s next court date has not yet been made public, but the case is already shaping up to be a political flashpoint in the ongoing debate over domestic extremism, selective prosecution, and law enforcement priorities.
With Tesla and Elon Musk frequently in the political crosshairs, many believe this attack was about more than just cars—it was about ideology. And to many Americans watching from the outside, letting the accused walk free sends the wrong message.
