Hennepin County Attorney Makes Announces In Charges Against Dylan Adams
In a decision already stirring public debate, Dylan Adams, a fiscal policy analyst for Democratic Governor Tim Walz’s administration in Minnesota, will avoid criminal charges for allegedly vandalizing six Tesla vehicles in Minneapolis — if he pays restitution to the victims.
According to police, Adams caused over $21,000 in damage by keying multiple Teslas across the city. Surveillance footage reportedly captured him in the act, and investigators believe the vandalism was politically motivated — part of a growing trend of backlash against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose outspoken political stances have polarized public opinion.
NEW: Minneapolis Police Department rips far-left DA Mary Moriarty for declining to charge a Minnesota government employee who caused $20,000 in damages to Teslas.
No wonder why Minneapolis is turning into a sh*t hole.
Police provided evidence of 33-year-old Dylan Bryan Adams… pic.twitter.com/g7h7lnjnks
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 22, 2025
But rather than pursue felony charges, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, led by Mary Moriarty, opted for what’s known as a “pre-charge diversion.” The goal, they said, is restitution over retribution. Adams, if compliant, will avoid prosecution entirely.
Critics are already crying foul.
Moriarty, who has built her reputation on criminal justice reform and alternatives to incarceration, defended the decision by pointing out that pre-charge diversion is common in property crimes. “Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable,” the office told Fox 9.
Yet, this isn’t just any case of property crime. The suspect is a government employee. The victims, Tesla owners — many of whom may see this as a glaring double standard in accountability.
Robert Paule, Adams’s attorney, said his client is “very remorseful” and intends to make the victims “whole financially.” That may satisfy legal requirements, but it won’t calm the political waters.
This case comes at a time when Moriarty has already faced criticism for a lenient prosecutorial approach. Earlier this year, she opposed the Laken Riley Act, signed into law by President Trump, which mandates the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants. Her comments that the bill “could lead to more violence” triggered a wave of backlash from those who argue she’s soft on crime.
And now, with a government official avoiding charges for a politically charged crime that caused tens of thousands in damage? The optics are troubling.