Nevada Prosecutors Dismiss State Charges Against Tesla Service Center Arsonist Following Federal Guilty Plea

Nevada prosecutors dropped state charges against Paul Hyon Kim after his federal guilty plea for the 2025 Tesla service center arson.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FOX5 Las Vegas

State Prosecutors Terminate Case Following Federal Resolution

Legal proceedings against the man responsible for a violent attack on a Las Vegas Tesla service center have shifted entirely to the federal level. During a hearing held on Wednesday, the District Attorney’s office announced it would no longer pursue state charges against Paul Hyon Kim. This decision follows Kim's earlier admission of guilt in federal court, effectively consolidating the judicial response to the March 2025 incident under federal jurisdiction.

Details of the March 2025 Facility Assault

The case stems from a series of destructive actions at a Tesla Collision Center in the Las Vegas Valley. According to an arrest report, Kim targeted the facility by firing a gun at vehicles parked outside and utilizing Molotov cocktails to ignite multiple fires. Beyond the physical destruction, investigators found that the word “RESIST” had been spray painted across the entrance of the building, suggesting a calculated motive behind the early spring attack.

Criminal Charges and Initial Prosecution Scope

At the state level, Kim had been facing a significant array of felony charges, including multiple counts of arson and the unlawful possession of explosive or incendiary devices. Prosecutors also sought convictions for discharging a firearm at a vehicle or structure. While these local charges have now been dismissed, they mirrored the gravity of the federal charges to which Kim has already pleaded guilty, including two counts of arson of property and one count of attempted arson.