Recent reports indicate that Lucy Grace Nelson, a 40-year-old woman from Colorado, has been arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property following a series of vandalism incidents at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado. The acts included throwing Molotov cocktails at vehicles and spray-painting derogatory messages on the building, such as “Nazi cars” and an obscenity believed to be directed at Tesla co-founder Elon Musk. 

Nelson was apprehended on March 17, 2025, after allegedly returning to the dealership with additional incendiary devices and vandalism materials. She appeared in federal court in Denver, where she was informed of her rights and the charges against her. The federal charge carries a penalty of at least five years in prison. 

These incidents occur amid a surge of vandalism and protests targeting Tesla facilities nationwide, coinciding with Elon Musk’s deepening role in the U.S. government under President Donald Trump’s administration. Critics have raised concerns about conflicts of interest given Musk’s ownership of Tesla, SpaceX, and X. 

Authorities are investigating potential links between these acts of vandalism and broader political protests against Musk’s involvement in the government. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced a crackdown on such dissent, stating that the Justice Department will seek severe penalties for those involved in vandalizing Tesla properties. 

It is important to note that there is no evidence to suggest that Nelson is related to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The reports reviewed do not indicate any familial connection between them.