Federal judge mulling releasing man accused in Las Vegas Tesla fires

A federal judge in Las Vegas is currently deliberating on whether to release Paul Hyon Kim, accused of vandalizing multiple Tesla vehicles, under specific conditions to ensure community safety. Kim, 36, was arrested for allegedly setting fire to at least five Teslas at a service center early on March 18. This incident coincides with a trend of protests against Tesla, a company associated with CEO Elon Musk, who has been advocating for a smaller federal government.

Kim faces serious federal charges, including arson and unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm. In addition to federal counts, he has 15 charges in Las Vegas Justice Court related to arson and other offenses involving firearms and explosives. Despite having no prior criminal history and cooperating with the FBI, Judge Elayna Youchah noted that the crimes appear to have a political motivation, emphasizing their seriousness for the community.

During the detention hearing, Judge Youchah expressed concerns about Kim’s lack of community ties, as he lives alone. However, she indicated a willingness to consider his release under conditions that could include home detention supervised by a custodian, possibly his mother. Kim’s public defender mentioned that his mother is prepared to attend court to support this arrangement.

Video evidence reportedly shows Kim engaging in violent acts, including shooting at security cameras and Teslas and igniting vehicles with Molotov cocktails. The footage also captured graffiti reading "Resist," indicating a political message behind the actions. Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren pointed out Kim’s tenuous connections to various social media activist groups, further suggesting a politically charged motive.

Kim is scheduled to return to federal court for further proceedings on Monday, with another hearing concerning his state charges set for April 1. The evolving case continues to draw attention due to its implications for both public safety and the intersection of political activism and criminal behavior.