Perpetrator behind Arizona Tesla dealership arson learns his fate after pleading guilty for incinerating Cybertrucks

The culprit who admitted to setting fire to a Tesla dealership has been sentenced to five years in prison, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

Ian William Moses, who confessed his guilt the previous year, received his punishment on Tuesday from U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa. He was handed a 60-month imprisonment term, the mandatory minimum, followed by 36 months of supervised release.

According to court records, surveillance cameras captured Moses at the Tesla dealership in Mesa around 2 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025. He was dressed in a dark hooded sweatshirt, tan ballcap, grey pants, black boots, and a black mask. Moses was seen carrying a red plastic gas can and a black backpack. He was observed placing fire starter logs next to the dealership building and then pouring gasoline on the logs, the building, and three Tesla vehicles.

At approximately 1:38 a.m., Moses ignited the logs, resulting in a fire that destroyed a silver Tesla Cybertruck. Video evidence shows him leaving the scene on a dark-colored bicycle shortly after.

The incident occurred amidst a series of anti-Tesla vandalism acts last year, which were believed to be a response to billionaire Elon Musk’s involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his association with former President Donald Trump.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine condemned Moses’ actions, stating that arson should never be a part of American politics. He emphasized that such behavior puts the public and first responders at risk and could have had fatal consequences. Courchaine asserted that the five-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and serves as a warning that politically motivated attacks on Arizona’s communities and businesses will face severe consequences.