MISSOURI MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TESLA DEALERSHIP ARSON AND POSSESSION OF UNREGISTERED DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Missouri man has pleaded guilty in federal court to setting fire to property at a Tesla dealership in Kansas City and illegally possessing an unregistered destructive device following an attack that damaged multiple Tesla vehicles with fire and gunfire.

Kevin Harkins, 28, of Barnhart, Missouri, entered guilty pleas on September 25, 2026, to one count of malicious destruction of property related to arson and one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Harkins was initially charged by federal complaint on September 12, 2025. The case stems from an incident on February 13, 2025, at the Kansas City Tesla Center.

At approximately 9:25 p.m., officers with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department were dispatched to the area after reports of gunfire.

Kansas City Fire Department personnel were dispatched at approximately the same time after receiving a report of a fire.

When emergency personnel arrived, they found a Tesla Cybertruck that had sustained fire damage and had also been struck by approximately nine gunshots.

Investigators observed what appeared to be a flammable liquid on the vehicle along with broken glass and a charred piece of cloth.

A propane hand torch and cigarette lighter were also recovered from the area. A nearby Tesla Model Y had approximately seven bullet holes in its hood.

Investigators also discovered an intact suspected incendiary device consisting of a bottle with a cloth wick protruding from it. Authorities detected an odor consistent with gasoline coming from the device.

The device was recovered and identified by investigators as a suspected Molotov cocktail.

A second Tesla Cybertruck was also damaged during the attack after investigators determined that a bullet apparently ricocheted from one of the rounds fired at the first Cybertruck.

The Cybertruck that sustained fire damage had a listed sale price of $81,985.

The malicious destruction of property charge involving arson carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a statutory maximum of 20 years.

The unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Federal sentences do not include parole.

The statutory ranges establish the limits Congress has set for the offenses. Harkins’ actual sentence will be determined by the federal court after considering the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors required under federal law.

No sentencing date has been announced.

Before sentencing, the United States Probation Office will prepare a presentence investigation report for the court.

Investigators recovered the suspected incendiary device intact. The case has also drawn participation from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Brackett, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Chlarson of the Western District of Missouri are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Kansas City, Missouri Police Department investigated the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri also provided assistance.

Harkins’ guilty pleas move the case beyond the charging stage. He has admitted guilt to both offenses and now awaits sentencing.

The federal court will determine the length and conditions of Harkins’ sentence after completion of the presentence investigation, with the arson conviction carrying a mandatory minimum term of five years in federal prison.

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