Tesla Justice? Owner Delivers Karma to Swastika-Scratching Leftist—and It’s Worse Than Jail

Date:  April 6, 2025

Dallas, TX – A Texas Tesla owner is delivering a dose of financial karma to the man who allegedly vandalized his Model X, and conservatives are calling it a masterstroke of justice that might just hit harder than jail time. Jeff Nguyen, whose vehicle was keyed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on March 13, 2025, is suing Rafael Humberto Hernandez for a staggering $1 million, sending a clear message to the so-called “Tesla Takedown” movement: mess with a Tesla, and you’ll pay a price far worse than a stint behind bars.

The incident, which gained national attention after being amplified by Donald Trump Jr. on X, was captured by the Tesla’s built-in cameras—a feature that’s become a nightmare for vandals like Hernandez. Court documents describe the damage as a “deep engraving or indentation,” and the footage, shared by @amuse on March 18, 2025, helped internet sleuths identify Hernandez, a 36-year-old Frisco resident. “The power of the internet is definitely real,” Nguyen wrote on Facebook, confirming that law enforcement had the suspect in custody by March 22. Hernandez now faces a felony charge of criminal mischief, which could land him 180 days to two years in jail and fines up to $10,000 if convicted.

But Nguyen isn’t stopping at criminal charges. His $1 million civil suit, filed with the help of Dallas-based Nachawati Legal Group, seeks damages for property damage, emotional distress, mental anguish, and legal costs. According to a March 29 Dallas Morning News report, Nguyen claims the incident—and the subsequent publicity—has made him a “target and victim of continued harassment and intimidation,” exacerbated by political backlash tied to Elon Musk’s support for President Trump. Steven Schulte, Nguyen’s attorney, emphasized that the suit isn’t just about compensation; it’s about deterrence. “No one in the United States should ever be targeted simply because they own a certain type of vehicle,” Schulte told the Morning News, noting that Nguyen, a car enthusiast, bought the Tesla for its quality, not as a political statement.

The “Tesla Takedown” movement, which has seen a wave of attacks on Tesla dealerships and owners since Musk’s alignment with Trump, has conservatives fuming. A similar incident in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, saw 55-year-old Chadd Ritenbaugh allegedly carve a swastika into a Tesla, only to be confronted by the owner in a viral video shared by @CollinRugg on March 29, 2025. “Whether it’s good old-fashioned litigation or innovative viral infamy, something needs to be done beyond arrests,” wrote @CollinRugg, pointing out that Tesla’s cameras make vandals easy targets for identification.


For Trump supporters, Nguyen’s lawsuit is a win against the left’s anti-Tesla crusade. “This is how you fight back,” wrote @MAGAJustice22 on X. “Hit them where it hurts—the wallet.” With the DOJ already pursuing RICO charges against the “generals” behind the attacks, as Musk revealed on The Five on April 1, Nguyen’s suit adds another layer of accountability. If jail won’t deter these vandals, a $1 million “ball-and-chain,” as one X user put it, just might. For conservatives, it’s a satisfying dose of justice—and a warning to the left that their actions have consequences.

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Kellyanne Richardson

Kellyanne Richardson

Kellyanne Richardson is an American conservative political commentator and author who frequently courted controversy with brash statements about her ideological opponents, often Democrats and liberals.

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