A Lyons-area resident could face five to 20 years in prison if convicted of a federal charge in connection with a string of vandalism and Molotov cocktail incidents at the Loveland Tesla dealership, according to information filed in U.S. District Court.
Lucy Nelson (Photo courtesy of the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office)The United States Attorney’s Office filed a felony count of malicious destruction of property against Lucy Grace Nelson, 42, in United States District Court in Denver on Thursday. The charge carries a sentence of five to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000 if convicted, according to charging documents.
The Loveland Police Department, working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Federal Bureau of Investigations, investigated a string of incidents at the dealership, 1606 N. Lincoln Ave.
An affidavit from an ATF agent outlines four separate incidents — Jan. 29, Feb. 2, Feb. 7 and Feb. 11 — all involving spray paint or fires started by Molotov cocktails made with gasoline and a cloth wick in Smirnoff Ice bottles. The vandalism included the words “Nazi” and what authorities believe was going to say “F — Musk” on signs outside the dealership, according to the affidavit.
Surveillance video showed a person in dark clothing throwing the Molotov cocktails on the property, including four separate bottles on Feb. 7, according to the affidavit.
A manager at the Tesla dealership told authorities, according to the affidavit, that the total damage was around $5,000.
Police officers connected the incidents to a vehicle that was parked in the lot of nearby business, a Prius that they said was registered to Justin Thomas Nelson, who lived at home in rural Larimer County near Lyons. Investigators report that Justin Thomas Nelson has officially changed their name to Lucy Grace Nelson.
Official charges are filed against Lucy Grace Nelson, who was arrested Monday after police officers followed the Prius to the dealership and saw Nelson, dressed in black, walking around, the affidavit states. After arresting Nelson, police searched the vehicle, with a warrant, and found gasoline, bottles and cloth used to make wicks for Molotov cocktails, the affidavit states.
Nelson was originally booked into the Larimer County Jail but is now in federal custody. A detention hearing in the federal case is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday.
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