State employee not charged in Tesla vandalism

MINNEAPOLIS

Police chief criticizes decision, but Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says it is holding man accountable

In a video posted to the Minneapolis Police Department’s YouTube channel, a man is seen “keying” a Tesla vehicle, date and location unknown. Dylan Adams, 33, of Minneapolis was arrested on March 29 on suspicion of vandalizing six Tesla vehicles, causing $20,000 in damage. Adams, an employee of the state Department of Human Services, was not charged in the incident by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office but instead offered a diversion program. COURTESY OF MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT

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By Kristi Miller

kbelcamino@pioneerpress.com

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has decided not to press charges against a state employee arrested in Minneapolis last week in connection with the vandalism of several Tesla vehicles resulting in more than $20,000 in damage.

According to the arrest report, Dylan Bryan Adams, 33, of Minneapolis was apprehended on suspicion of vandalizing six Tesla vehicles, part of a national trend following CEO Elon Musk’s controversial role in upending the federal bureaucracy at the direction of President Donald Trump.

The county attorney’s office said it often offers diversion programs in property damage cases involving suspects without prior criminal records.

But the decision drew criticism from Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, who said in a statement: “Our investigators are always frustrated when the cases they poured their hearts into are declined. In my experience, the victims in these cases often feel the same.”

The Minnesota Department of Human Services said that Adams is a state employee and released a statement about his arrest.

“We are reviewing the matter at this time. State employees are expected to follow our code of conduct and hold themselves to the highest ethical standards through their words and actions,” the statement reads.

The vandalisms occurred to vehicles owned by residents of Edina, Minneapolis, Bloomington and Nebraska.

During a news conference last week, Minneapolis police said they arrested Adams after allegedly catching him on camera “keying” six Teslas and causing thousands of dollars in damage in each case — felony-level damage.

The department turned the case over to the county attorney’s office for possible prosecution. O’Hara released a Tuesday statement to the Pioneer Press, saying that any frustration about the suspect not being charged should be directed at Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.

“The Minneapolis Police Department did its job,” said O’Hara, who has previously clashed with Moriarty over some of her prosecutorial decisions. “It identified and investigated a crime trend, identified, and arrested a suspect, and presented a case file to the Hennepin County Attorney Office for consideration of charges. This case impacted at least six different victims and totaled over $20,000 in damages. Any frustration related to the charging decision of the Hennepin County Attorney should be directed solely at her office. …”

Moriarty’s office insisted that it is holding Adams responsible despite not pressing charges.

“We want to make sure we are very clear. What Mr. Adams did was wrong and we are holding him accountable for keying the cars,” spokesman Daniel Borgertpoepping said. “The HCAO did not reject or decline this case. We offered diversion as we often do with property damage cases when the person has no record. Mr. Adams will have to complete the requirements of the program. He will also have to pay every penny in restitution to the victims. If he does not meet those requirements, we will proceed through the criminal legal system process.”

Minnesota House Public Safety Committee Chair Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, also criticized the decision not to charge Adams.

“This isn’t a case of civil disobedience,” Novotny said in a Tuesday statement. “This is a felony. It’s thousands of dollars in damage, and we have clear evidence. If this doesn’t warrant prosecution, what does? ...”