A Las Vegas man has been charged with serious crimes after a disturbing incident at a Tesla collision business. Paul Hyon Kim, 36, appeared in U.S. District Court facing charges of arson and unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm.
The charges stem from an event on March 18, when police received reports of someone setting vehicles on fire and firing a gun at the Tesla facility. First responders from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Clark County Fire Department rushed to the scene to deal with the chaos.
Investigators say Kim used Molotov cocktails and a .30 caliber AR-style rifle to destroy five Tesla vehicles. Additionally, he vandalized the building with graffiti that read “Resist.”
On March 26, law enforcement executed search warrants, including one at Kim’s home. There, they found several firearms, including an AR-style rifle similar to the one used in the arson. They also discovered a suppressor, a black gun belt, a hoodie, face masks, and a note that appeared to outline an escape plan.
If convicted, Kim could face a maximum of 10 years in prison for the firearm charge and between five to 20 years for the arson charge. He remains in federal custody following his arrest.
The case is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Operskalski and Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman from the National Security Division are handling the prosecution.