Federal Prosecution and Court Appearance
A woman accused of multiple acts of vandalism at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, is now facing federal charges. Federal prosecutors have charged Lucy Grace Nelson with malicious destruction of property after a series of attacks on the dealership, which included Molotov cocktails being thrown at vehicles and graffiti defacing the building. One of the messages spray-painted on the property included the phrase “Nazi cars,” along with words appearing to target Tesla co-founder Elon Musk.
Nelson made a brief appearance in federal court in Denver, where she was informed of her rights by Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter. Wearing a casual outfit and with her wrists and ankles shackled, Nelson sat in the jury box alongside other defendants. At one point, she attempted to speak, but her attorney, public defender Jennifer Beck, quickly intervened. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that federal involvement was warranted due to the nature of the incendiary devices allegedly used in the attacks. After her arrest, Nelson’s mother, who was present in court, and her attorney declined to comment on the case.
Background and Arrest Details
Nelson’s arrest followed multiple incidents of vandalism targeting the Tesla dealership. According to police, she was taken into custody on state charges after returning to the dealership with additional incendiary devices and vandalism materials. Although she initially posted bond and was released from jail, federal authorities took her into custody on Thursday. She remains detained and is scheduled for a court hearing on Tuesday to determine whether she will continue to be held during the legal proceedings.
Nelson’s sister, Jennifer McCown, described her as a compassionate and intelligent individual who had been recently volunteering to help the homeless. McCown did not comment on the allegations her sister faces but emphasized that Nelson would never harm another person. Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the possibility of additional individuals being involved in the vandalism incidents.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
The federal criminal complaint against Nelson alleges that she attempted to set fires near vehicles using Molotov cocktails made from empty liquor bottles. However, the fires reportedly did not cause significant damage. Photographic evidence submitted in court showed a small fire near several vehicles. The tesla dealership estimated that multiple vandalism incidents over a month resulted in damages between $5,000 and $20,000, with approximately $5,000 in vehicle damage alone.
Loveland police remain active in the investigation, with spokesperson Chris Padgett stating that authorities are considering the possibility of another person’s involvement. One incident cited in police reports described an individual spray-painting offensive language directed at Musk before being confronted by a security guard. At the time of Nelson’s arrest, police reportedly discovered cans of spray paint, gasoline, bottles, and cloth pieces in her vehicle, materials that could potentially be used as accelerants.
A conviction on the federal charge of malicious destruction of property carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison. As Tesla continues to face protests at its facilities across the country, concerns remain over security threats to its dealerships and executives.
