A 24-year-old Colorado man, Cooper Jo Fredrick, is facing federal charges for allegedly firebombing a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the charges on Monday, stating that Fredrick was arrested in Plano, Texas, following the March 7th attack.
Bondi released a strong statement, declaring, “Let this be a warning. You can run, but you cannot hide. Justice is coming.” This incident is one of several attacks on Tesla properties in recent weeks, prompting the FBI to establish a joint task force with the ATF to investigate the escalating violence.
The Loveland attack involved Fredrick allegedly throwing an incendiary device at the dealership. While the device landed between two cars, causing a fire, quick action by a police officer prevented any injuries. However, the building and several vehicles sustained damage, with police also reporting damage from rocks.
Fredrick, a resident of Fort Collins, Colorado, is facing a potential 20-year prison sentence on the federal charges. He also faces local charges, including second-degree arson and possession of explosives. The federal prosecutors are seeking a lengthy prison term, sending a clear message that these acts will not be tolerated.
This incident follows a pattern of attacks seemingly targeting Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his involvement with the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Another suspect, Lucy Grace Nelson (also known as Justin Thomas Nelson), is already facing charges related to a separate incident at the same Loveland dealership in late February.
The FBI task force underscores the seriousness of these attacks and the determination to bring those responsible to justice. The Attorney General’s firm stance and the federal charges against Fredrick highlight the government’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in this wave of violence against Tesla properties. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.
