MESA, ARIZONA – In a shocking display of violence, Ian William Moses, 35, of Mesa, Arizona, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment, the mandatory minimum, followed by 36 months of supervised release, for setting fire to a Tesla vehicle and a Tesla dealership in Mesa, Arizona, on April 28, 2025. The incident, which sparked widespread fear and concern, was met with swift justice, as Moses pleaded guilty to all five charges, including maliciously damaging property and vehicles by means of fire.
According to court documents, surveillance cameras captured Moses at the Tesla dealership in Mesa shortly before 2 a.m. on the night of the incident, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, tan ballcap, grey pants, black boots, and a black mask. He was seen carrying a red plastic gas can and a black backpack, and was recorded as he placed fire starter logs next to the dealership building and poured gasoline onto the starter logs, the building, and three Tesla vehicles.
At around 1:38 a.m., Moses ignited the starter logs, causing a fire that destroyed a silver Tesla Cybertruck. Video footage showed Moses leaving the dealership on a dark-colored bicycle shortly thereafter. Mesa police officers arrested Moses approximately a quarter mile from the Tesla dealership at around 3 a.m., still dressed in the same clothes as he was seen wearing at the scene.
After his arrest, officers found a hand-drawn map of the area in Moses’ pocket, which included a box with the letter “T” marking the dealership’s location. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing concern over the potential dangers of arson and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
“Arson can never be an acceptable part of American politics,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Mr. Moses’ actions endangered the public and first responders and could have easily turned deadly. This five-year sentence reflects the gravity of these crimes and makes clear that politically fueled attacks on Arizona’s communities and businesses will be met with full accountability.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell added, “This sentence sends a clear message: violence and intimidation have no place in our community. Setting fire to a business in retaliation for political or personal grievances is not protest—it is a crime. Our community deserves to feel safe, and this sentence underscores that Maricopa County will not tolerate political violence in any form.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI Phoenix Field Office, Mesa Police Department, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond K. Woo and Maricopa Deputy County Attorney Luke Coyne prosecuting the case.
CASE NUMBER: CR25-0657-PHX-DJH RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-005_Moses.
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
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Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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