The U.S. Attorney General called Tesla dealership attacks “domestic terrorism,” but records indicate prosecutors are not concerned about a suspect traveling.
DENVER — A year ago, news headlines were dominated by attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships across the country. Now, a year later, two suspects who were arrested for incidents in Colorado continue to face state and federal charges.
Lucy Nelson and Cooper Frederick were arrested for separate vandalism incidents at the Tesla dealership in Loveland. Both are facing state and federal felony charges, and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
A review of court documents in Frederick’s case show federal prosecutors handling his case were not opposed to his requests to travel from Texas to Colorado and to Oklahoma for family events over the last year.
The travel requests were granted by a judge and come after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized the Tesla attacks as “domestic terrorism.”
“That’s a fairly extraordinary privilege to grant to somebody who’s been accused of being a domestic terrorist,” said former Colorado U.S. Attorney Troy Eid, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.
In social media videos last year, Bondi said prosecutors would be seeking 20 years against Frederick.
With no federal prosecutors opposing travel for Frederick, Eid said that could be an indication the Trump administration views Tesla CEO Elon Musk differently. Musk had a public feud with President Donald Trump last summer after the suspects’ arrests.
“It’s just not consistent with what she said. So that makes me think something else might have changed. And perhaps what’s changed is that Elon Musk is no longer viewed quite as favorably among some of the administration as he was just a year ago,” Eid said.
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