A 33-year-old Minneapolis man employed by the State of Minnesota avoided criminal prosecution after surveillance cameras caught him allegedly scratching multiple Tesla vehicles and racking up more than $20,000 in damages.
Dylan Adams has worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services since September 5, 2018, according to officials who confirmed his employment status to FOX 9 on Tuesday.
Adams currently holds the title of financial policy compliance lead within the department, a role that carries expectations of ethical conduct under state guidelines.
Officials at DHS announced they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding Adams’ arrest to determine the future of his employment with the state.
The department released a statement in response to the incident.
“We are reviewing the matter at this time. State employees are expected to follow our code of conduct and hold themselves to the highest ethical standards through their words and actions,” the statement read.
Adams was taken into custody after video footage allegedly captured him keying at least six separate Tesla vehicles across Minneapolis.
The total damage across all six vehicles reached approximately $20,000, a figure that crossed the threshold for felony-level charges under Minnesota law.
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted to the news on X by posting, “Small world.”
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Monday night that criminal charges against Adams are unlikely. Instead, the office offered him placement in a diversion program.
Spokesperson Daniel Borgertpoepping issued a statement Tuesday clarifying the office’s position.
“We want to make sure we are very clear. What Mr. Adams did was wrong and we are holding him accountable for keying the cars. The HCAO did not reject or decline this case. We offered diversion as we often do with property damage cases when the person has no record,” Borgertpoepping said.
Borgertpoepping continued: “Mr. Adams will have to complete the requirements of the program. He will also have to pay every penny in restitution to the victims. If he does not meet those requirements, we will proceed through the criminal legal system process.”
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office also noted that criminal charges remain a live option should any additional vandalism occur.
FOX 9 sought an on-camera interview with Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Tuesday. Her office declined the request.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara issued a pointed statement pushing back against the charging decision.
“The Minneapolis Police Department did its job. It identified and investigated a crime trend, identified, and arrested a suspect, and presented a case file to the Hennepin County Attorney Office for consideration of charges,” O’Hara said.
O’Hara continued: “This case impacted at least six different victims and totaled over $20,000 in damages. Any frustration related to the charging decision of the Hennepin County Attorney should be directed solely at her office.”
“Our investigators are always frustrated when the cases they poured their hearts into are declined. In my experience, the victims in these cases often feel the same.”
Adams’ attorney, Robert Paule, released his own statement to FOX 9 on behalf of his client.
“My client is very remorseful for his actions and is beginning the process of making sure the victims are made whole financially,” it read.
“We are grateful for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office exercise of prosecutorial discretion, and apologize to the victims and law enforcement.”
