Suspect in Las Vegas Tesla fires detained by federal judge pending trial

A federal judge on Monday ordered a man accused of setting Teslas on fire in Las Vegas detained, pending his trial.

Paul Hyon Kim, 36, was arrested last Wednesday. He faces federal and local charges, including arson, possession of an unregistered gun and possessing, manufacturing or disposing of an explosive or fire device.

Authorities have alleged he is the person who vandalized at least five Teslas in the early hours of March 18 at a Tesla service center at 6260 Badura Ave., near South Jones Boulevard and the 215 Beltway. He is accused of shooting a gun inside vehicles and lighting them on fire with Molotov cocktails.

The case has political implications given the role of Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has sought to shrink the federal government. In recent weeks, protesters around the country have targeted Teslas as a symbol of Musk.

Explaining her ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna Youchah said she was concerned about the danger to the community.

“This is not an easy decision or one the court takes lightly,” the judge said.

Defense attorney Adam Solinger argued that the incident was a “glorified property crime with political undertones.”

The attack was not just ordinary vandalism, Youchah said. “What occurred in this instance was so much more violent and dangerous.”

Federal prosecutors had pushed for Kim to be detained.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Operskalski said Kim had guns and an escape plan in his home and has experienced suicidal thoughts.

Referencing a message spray-painted on the Tesla facility that said “Resist,” the prosecutor said Kim would likely resist court orders.

Solinger said the message related more to Musk than law enforcement and criticized the billionaire’s “undue influence” on the government.

Michael Becker, another defense attorney for Kim, said he has seen a plan to get away from the scene, but that he had not heard prosecutors allege Kim was trying to leave the jurisdiction.

Becker acknowledged that there are indications his client has had an alcohol problem and suffered from depression.

Kim previously appeared before Youchah on Friday afternoon. At that time, she said she recognized that the fires were “a very serious crime” with a clear “political purpose,” but indicated she was considering the release of Kim with conditions such as a custodian and home detention.

The proposed custodian was Kim’s mother, Seung Joo Kim, a gray-haired, bespectacled woman who was questioned by Youchah under oath about her willingness to notify authorities if her son violated release conditions.

Kim’s mother, who spoke through a Korean interpreter, said she would do so.

The judge seemed bothered by an apparent discrepancy between a comment Kim’s mother made to pretrial services staff that she was rarely in contact with her son and her testimony to the court that she saw him every day on a screen while he played video games with his brother.

Solinger suggested there was confusion because Kim’s mother has limited English proficiency and had spoken to pretrial services in English.

Operskalski argued Kim did not have a close relationship with his mother. He alleged Kim’s mother was untrustworthy and had changed her story.

Though Becker argued it was a testament to Kim’s relationship with his mother that she traveled from Seattle to attend the hearing, Youchah said she found Kim’s connection to his family to be “too attenuated.” Releasing Kim to his mother would not be sufficient to protect the community, she said.

After court, Solinger said he was disappointed in the judge’s ruling. The federal detainer would likely pause the local case, he said.

He does not assume the judge ruled the way she did because of politics, he said. But, he added, it would be naive to think politics were not a consideration.

If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org. Additionally, the Crisis Text Line is a free, national service available 24/7. Text HOME to 741741.

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.