According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, Paul Hyon Kim pleaded guilty this week to the violent arson attack at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas that occurred March 18, 2025.
A Las Vegas man, Paul Hyon Kim, pleaded guilty Monday to using a firearm and Molotov cocktails to destroy and damage vehicles and property at a Tesla Collision center in March 2025: https://t.co/OrWB4LEUuP pic.twitter.com/9owUKihK9Y
— FBI Las Vegas (@FBILasVegas) February 24, 2026
Court records say Kim spray-painted the word “RESIST” on the front of the building, then used a firearm to shoot out surveillance cameras and fire into several vehicles.
After that, he threw three Molotov cocktails into parked cars. Two exploded, one failed. Five Tesla vehicles were damaged.
Federal prosecutors say Kim pleaded guilty to two counts of arson, one count of attempted arson, and one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device.
The mandatory minimum sentence is five years in prison. The maximum possible sentence is 70 years.
His sentencing is scheduled for May 27, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah announced the plea alongside leaders from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the LVMPD.
Prosecutors didn’t list an official motive, but Kim helpfully left one behind in spray paint: “RESIST.”
Federal officials say it’s part of a rising pattern of attacks on Tesla facilities across the country since 2024. Many observers believe the attacks ramped up after CEO Elon Musk publicly backed President Donald Trump, turning Tesla into a political target.
Somewhere along the way, the radical left decided Molotov cocktails were an acceptable form of protest. This was political rage dressed up as activism.
On social media, some agreed with this “resistance”. Tesla represents big business. Its CEO supports Trump. In their minds, that somehow makes firebombing fair game.
Critics are welcome to debate over CEOs, business practices, policies, and President Trump.
You can protest. You can vote. But there’s a line.
Once you’re shooting up buildings and tossing Molotov cocktails, you’ve crossed it.
Kim will soon learn that lesson in federal court.
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