Published on: February 24, 2026, 12:18h.
Updated on: February 24, 2026, 12:18h.
- Paul Kim admitted guilt to four federal charges concerning the firebombing of Teslas in Las Vegas
- This incident was part of a nationwide wave targeting Tesla for political motives in 2025
- Kim could face a sentence ranging from five to 70 years, with sentencing set for May 27.
On Monday, Paul Hyon Kim entered a guilty plea in federal court for firebombing a Tesla service center located in Las Vegas last year, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. This attack stands as a national representation of the dissension directed towards Tesla’s founder Elon Musk, who was appointed by Donald Trump to oversee the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the onset of Trump’s second presidential term.
Kim’s federal proceedings concerning four charges—two counts of arson, an attempted arson count, and one for possessing a Molotov cocktail—were slated to commence on March 10. However, the 37-year-old opted to forgo his trial by pleading guilty without entering into a plea agreement.
By taking this route, Kim retains the right to appeal his conviction. Per the Review-Journal, this is a calculated strategy as his legal team gets ready to challenge a possible enhancement of his sentence for “domestic terrorism.”
US District Judge Jennifer Dorsey accepted Kim’s plea after determining he was competent, notwithstanding his mention of a minor bipolar disorder diagnosis and recent medication usage.
The Incident
On March 18, 2025, Kim, a communist activist residing in Las Vegas, allegedly launched Molotov cocktails and shot at a minimum of five Teslas parked at Tesla Collision Las Vegas. Two vehicles were entirely destroyed.
Evidence presented by prosecutors connected Kim to the incident, including DNA collected from the scene and a video showcasing him spray painting the word “RESIST” on the wall as the cars were engulfed in flames.
Although Kim faces a potential maximum sentence of 70 years, his attorneys predict a more realistic sentence could fall within the 5-20 year range. They assert that this act was a “one-time occurrence” rather than a series of targeted attacks.
A recently similar case resulted in Ian William Moses receiving a five-year prison sentence for igniting a Tesla in Mesa, Arizona.
The sentencing hearing for Kim, who has been in federal custody since his March 2025 arrest, is scheduled for May 27, 2026. His unrelated state-level charges related to arson and explosives are anticipated to be dismissed following this federal conviction.