In Minneapolis, an employee of the Minnesota Department of Human Services has been offered an alternative to prosecution after allegedly causing over $20,000 in damages to multiple Tesla vehicles. Dylan Bryan Adams, 33, was captured by the cars' "sentry mode" cameras performing acts of vandalism including scratching and stripping paint off the vehicles.
The surveillance footage, which became central to the police investigation, reportedly shows a man, believed to be Adams, keying the side of a parked Tesla. In additional footage, the same individual, accompanied by his dog, appears to damage two more Teslas. The recurring presence of the dog in the videos aided the police in identifying Adams as the suspect.
Despite what the Minneapolis Police describe as undeniable evidence of felony-level property destruction, District Attorney Moriarty has elected not to file criminal charges. Instead, her office has announced the pursuit of a diversion program that would allow Adams to avoid prosecution. This decision ensures that he retains his government job and is able to make restitution payments, with the intent of reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses, according to a statement from Moriarty's office reported by CBS News.
The district attorney's course of action has been met with immediate disapproval from Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. He criticized the Hennepin County Attorney's Office for not acting on what he considers a strong case. O'Hara emphasized that the police department did its job by identifying and investigating a crime trend, apprehending a suspect, and submitting a case file for the consideration of charges.
Chief O'Hara shared his frustration, as did the six different victims affected by the vandalism. He expressed solidarity with both his officers, who are disheartened by the declined charges, and the victims who often feel slighted by such decisions.
Since her tenure began in January 2023, Moriarty has been a target of criticism for a series of decisions that are perceived as being lenient towards offenders. Her controversial choices include dropping charges against a man accused of raping a teenager due to alleged attorney misconduct. This pattern has raised alarms among law enforcement officials and community members, who fear that accountability is being compromised for political reasons.
In response to the recent incident, officials from Governor Tim Walz's office have attempted to distance the administration from the accused. A spokesperson stated that Adams is one among roughly 40,000 state employees and is not in a politically appointed position. Additionally, the spokesperson clarified that Adams's role is within the Department of Human Services, which operates independently from the governor's direct supervision.
The link between Adams's state employment and the decision not to prosecute has raised questions about equity and transparency within the justice system, especially considering the clear evidence and the financial toll of the damages inflicted.