Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration finds itself embroiled in controversy as Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty declines to pursue criminal charges against a staff member who vandalized multiple Tesla vehicles. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the Minneapolis Police Department, which successfully identified and arrested Adams after investigating the pattern of vandalism. How might Adams’ employment with Governor Walz’s administration have influenced the prosecutor’s decision?
Political Connection Raises Questions About Prosecution Decision
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has declined to criminally charge Dylan Bryan Adams, a member of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration, for keying multiple Tesla vehicles. Adams, who works as a fiscal policy analyst for the state’s Department of Human Services, was captured on surveillance video vandalizing at least six Teslas while walking his dog, causing damage estimated at over $21,000.
The county attorney’s office will instead pursue “pre-charge diversion,” a program typically reserved for first-time, low-level offenders. This approach aims to secure restitution for victims while allowing Adams to maintain employment, potentially enabling him to pay for the damages he caused to multiple vehicles.
🚨 BREAKING: The man seen vandalizing a Tesla has been ID’d as 33-year-old Dylan Bryan Adams.
He’s accused of causing $20K+ in damages across the Twin Cities.
The kicker: Adams works as a Fiscal Policy Analyst for the State of Minnesota. Someone took Tim Walz’s words to heart. pic.twitter.com/YYco1jcKpe
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) April 18, 2025
Law Enforcement Expresses Frustration with Prosecutor’s Decision
The Minneapolis Police Department has publicly criticized Moriarty’s decision, highlighting the disconnect between police work and prosecutorial discretion. Chief Brian O’Hara issued a statement asserting that his department “did its job” by identifying the crime pattern, arresting a suspect, and presenting a solid case file to the County Attorney’s Office.
O’Hara further emphasized that “any frustration related to the charging decision of the Hennepin County Attorney should be directed solely at her office.” The police department noted that its investigators are “always frustrated” when cases they invested significant effort into are declined for prosecution, suggesting a growing rift between law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office on handling property crimes.
OUTRAGEOUS: Soros-Backed County Attorney Says Member of Tim Walz Administration Won’t Face Criminal Charges For Vandalizing at Least 6 Teslas – Police Blast Decision!#Newshttps://t.co/zYN0SRm80Nhttps://t.co/zYN0SRm80N
— TruthPuke Media (@TruthPukeAlerts) April 22, 2025
Contrasting Approaches to Tesla Vandalism Cases
The lenient approach in Minneapolis stands in stark contrast to how similar Tesla vandalism cases are being handled at the federal level. The Justice Department has classified certain incidents of Tesla vandalism as domestic terrorism, with ongoing investigations and no plea deals for those charged in comparable cases.
Daniel Borgertpoepping, spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, defended the decision by stating, “Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable.” He added that diversion helps ensure the individual maintains employment to pay restitution while reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses, though criminal prosecution remains possible if unlawful behavior continues.
Critics have noted Moriarty’s financial backing from progressive donor George Soros during her campaign for County Attorney. The timing of the vandalism incidents has also raised eyebrows, as they occurred shortly after Governor Walz made public comments about Tesla stock, though no direct connection between these events has been established.