New records show a Minnesota state employee who admitted to keying multiple Teslas across Minneapolis received just a one-day suspension for his actions and said he was “on a break” or “out sick” during some of the incidents.
State time and attendance records obtained by Alpha News show that Dylan Bryan Adams — a fiscal policy analyst at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) who is the “Compliance Lead on DHS’s Program Integrity Team” — was logged as working during at least some of the daytime incidents.
However, a newly released DHS investigative report has concluded there is “insufficient evidence” to determine that Adams committed the vandalism while “on duty,” saying he told investigators he was “on a break” or “out sick” when he was caught on camera keying Teslas — but apparently not too sick to commit a crime.
Tesla vandalism caught on camera
Adams drew widespread attention last year after Minneapolis police identified him as the suspect captured on Tesla vehicle cameras appearing to key or damage multiple cars. Authorities said the incidents caused more than $21,000 in damage.
The DHS investigative report confirmed that Adams admitted to vandalizing six Tesla vehicles over a one- to two-week period in March 2025.
Police said the incidents began Tuesday, March 18, 2025. However, Adams told investigators he was “out sick” that day, and therefore not “on the clock” when the vandalism occurred, according to the report.
That same day, Gov. Tim Walz made headlines after saying that watching Tesla’s stock price fall gave him “a little boost during the day.”
According to the DHS report, Adams shared Walz’s disdain for Elon Musk.
Adams told investigators he vandalized Teslas because he was upset about Musk’s actions, which he interpreted as a “Nazi salute.” He also said he hoped damaging the vehicles would prompt Tesla owners to “disassociate themselves” from the company and its CEO, according to the report.
Video obtained from another victim’s Tesla surveillance camera shows Adams vandalizing a vehicle on Monday, March 24 at 2:09 p.m. The DHS report says “two or three incidents” occurred between 2:09 p.m. and 2:17 p.m. that day.
Adams’ state time card shows he logged a full eight-hour workday that same day.
However, Adams told investigators he was “on a break” during those incidents of vandalism.
DHS’ report ultimately concluded that while Adams admitted damaging the vehicles, investigators found “insufficient evidence” to determine he committed the vandalism while “on the clock.”
No charges filed, remains employed by the state, given one day suspension
Public backlash intensified after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty declined to file charges and instead handed Adams a free pass in the form of a diversion program.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara publicly voiced frustration with that outcome.
“Our investigators are always frustrated when the cases they poured their hearts into are declined,” O’Hara said during a press conference. “And victims feel that same frustration.”
For eight months following the Tesla vandalism incidents, Adams not only remained employed at DHS but appeared to face no workplace consequences.
However, Alpha News has since confirmed that on Jan. 22, 2026, DHS issued him a one-day suspension without pay.
In a statement to Alpha News, DHS said: “We expect employees – through their words and actions – to hold themselves to the highest standards of honesty, integrity and ethical behavior. A careful review of the facts in this case determined this employee’s actions seriously undermined public trust and violated our code of ethics. As a result, the employee was suspended for one day without pay.”
Legislator calls situation ‘outrageous’
Minnesota House Republican Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, said the situation raises serious questions about accountability within state government.
Niska called it “outrageous” that someone whose salary is funded by taxpayers and is tasked with ensuring “compliance” at DHS “was caught on camera committing vandalism.”
“In any organization with real accountability, that would mean immediate termination,” he said.
Niska said Moriarty’s decision was consistent with what he described as a broader lack of accountability in Minnesota’s justice system.
“It’s no surprise that the soft-on-crime, pro-criminal Hennepin County Attorney chose diversion instead of pursuing felony charges,” he said. “The Walz administration and DHS have shown again and again that accountability is not a priority.”
The time records obtained by Alpha News are now raising additional questions about remote work policies at DHS.
If DHS employees can leave their homes to vandalize property, then “it’s clear these overly permissive remote work policies need a serious review,” Niska said.
He also pointed to broader controversies surrounding the agency.
“Look no further than last week when Gov. Walz promoted Shireen Gandhi to permanent DHS commissioner after the agency’s fraud scandal made international headlines and staff were caught fabricating and backdating documents during audit reviews,” Niska said.
“They’ve shown by their lack of action, that there is zero accountability at DHS.”
Niska said he is currently authoring legislation he calls the “Fraud Isn’t Free Act,” which he says would increase accountability for state agencies when fraud occurs under their watch.
Niska said the situation sends a troubling message to Minnesota taxpayers.
“It sends the message that their money does not matter and that certain government employees can act with impunity and face no consequences for their actions,” he said.
“Whether it is failing to stop fraud, falsifying and backdating documents to mislead auditors, or committing felony-level vandalism while on the clock, the message is clear: if you belong to a certain class of state employees, Gov. Walz and Minnesota Democrats will protect you.”
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
