Tesla vandalism suspect released from federal custody

A college spring breaker accused of setting fire to two Tesla Cybertrucks in Missouri has been released from federal custody after his lawyer argued that staying in jail would disrupt his ongoing sex-change treatment.

Owen McIntire, 19, was released and placed on home detention at his parents’ Missouri home by a federal court in Massachusetts this week. He was ordered to answer to the charges against him on Thursday. McIntire was arrested in Massachusetts last month and faces federal charges in Missouri for allegedly using a homemade incendiary device to ignite the two electric vehicles on March 17. He is charged with unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage to property by fire.

McIntire’s federal public defender argued that his client, a college student with no prior criminal record, has well-documented medical and mental health needs, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, depression, and gender dysphoria. Court records state that McIntire receives gender-affirming medical care, which began in March of this year and is at risk of being interrupted or terminated entirely if he remains in pretrial detention.

At the time of the incident, McIntire was enrolled at the University of Massachusetts working towards a physics degree. The Justice Department suggested that the alleged attack had political overtones, but this was deemed speculative by McIntire’s attorney.

Authorities recovered and analyzed key evidence from the Tesla attack, including Molotov cocktails allegedly used in the arson. Video footage showed a person believed to be McIntire wearing a large hat, lighting the devices, and throwing them at the Cybertrucks before walking away. Two Tesla charging stations were also damaged by the fire, each with an approximate value of $550.

McIntire trained in ballet from ages 8 to 15 but quit during a difficult period after being diagnosed with depression, which he manages with medication and therapy. The case is still under investigation, and the FBI is looking into the matter.

In conclusion, the release of Owen McIntire into home detention has sparked controversy due to the nature of the charges against him and the potential disruption to his ongoing medical treatment. The case continues to unfold as authorities gather evidence and pursue justice in this act of vandalism against Tesla vehicles.