Man accused of burning Tesla chargers in North Charleston granted bond

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — A federal judge granted bond Monday to a James Island man accused of using Molotov cocktails to burn Tesla chargers in North Charleston earlier this month.

24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder, who faces federal arson charges, appeared in U.S. District Court on March 17 for a preliminary hearing.

Judge Mary Baker granted him a $10,000 cash bond, according to court records. He will be placed on house arrest and only permitted to leave home for medical or court reasons.

Clarke-Pounder must also seek substance abuse and mental health treatment, the judge ordered.

North Charleston officers responded to a Tesla charging station on Tanger Outlet Boulevard around 7:15 p.m. Monday following reports of a suspected arson.

When authorities arrived, witnesses explained a White man in a grey jacket/hoodie with a black face mask spray-painted โ€œF*** Trump, long live Ukraineโ€ in red next to stations.

Authorities said the individual then threw Molotov cocktails made out of beer bottles at the charging stations, damaging them, before leaving the scene.

A criminal complaint states that the incident was captured on surveillance video by a nearby restaurant, which ultimately led investigators to Clarke-Pounder.

Clarke-Pounder was arrested on March 13 and charged with Arson of Property in Interstate Commerce, which carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Jail records showed Clarke-Pounder was still booked in the Al Cannon Detention Center as of Monday afternoon.

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