A 24-year-old guy from James Island, South Carolina, named Daniel Clarke-Pounder, got into big trouble after he tried to set fire to a Tesla charging station in North Charleston. This happened on March 7, 2025, near the Tanger Outlets on Centre Pointe Drive. He ended up catching fire himself and messed up some of the charging stations, according to the police.
What Happened That Night
The North Charleston Police and the ATF say Clarke-Pounder showed up around 8 p.m. with Molotov cocktails – homemade firebombs made from bottles and things that burns. People saw him throw them at the Tesla chargers, hitting three of them. But one of the bombs backfired while he was running away, lighting his back on fire. Cameras caught him taking off with flames behind him.
Damage and First Response
Firefighters came to put out the fires at the station. The Tesla chargers are part of a big electric car network tied to business across states, so the feds got involved. Cops also found graffiti there, like “f–k Trump” and “long live the Ukraine.” They’re still figuring out why he did it.
Arrest and Charges
Clarke-Pounder got caught after the ATF, local police, and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office teamed up. On March 12, 2025, a federal court in South Carolina charged him with arson of property linked to interstate commerce. If he’s found guilty, he could get 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Court Hearing and Bond
At a bond hearing on March 17, Judge Molly H. Cherry let him out on a $10,000 bond. He has to wear a GPS tracker, stay home, and get mental health checks. Court papers say he’s got bipolar disorder and wasn’t taking his meds when this happened. His lawyer said his mental issues played a part. Prosecutors argued he’s a danger to people because of what he did.
Tesla Station Impact
Three Tesla charging units got damaged. No one knows yet how much it’ll cost to fix them.
Tesla hasn’t said anything about it. The investigation is still going, and cops want to know if he worked alone or if the graffiti means something more.
Bigger Picture
It’s got people wondering about safety at these places. The ATF is asking anyone with info to call 1-888-ATF-TIPS.
What’s Next
Clarke-Pounder doesn’t have his next court date set yet. Federal prosecutors plan to push hard on this case. If he loses, he’s looking at a long time behind bars, showing how serious this kind of thing is.
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