DHS Tesla-keying worker was 'on break' or 'out sick' during some vandalism incidents, records show
A Minnesota Department of Human Services employee who keyed multiple Teslas, causing about $20,000 in damage, was given a one-day suspension. Time-and-attendance records show the worker was recorded as "on a break" or "out sick" during some of the vandalism incidents, and the Hennepin County Attorney placed him in diversion rather than filing felony charges.
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📊 Relevant Data
In Hennepin County, White youth have a 68% success rate in pre-charge diversion programs, compared to 53% for Black youth and 30% for American Indian youth, based on data from 2021-2023. ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/get-help/Diversion/RYJ-Final-Report13Nov2025.pdf))
Reimagining Youth Justice in Hennepin County: Modeling the Possible — Hennepin County Attorney's Office
Minnesota statute allows for up to 5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine for first-degree criminal damage to property when damage exceeds $1,000. ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595)) ([Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.595))
Sec. 609.595 MN Statutes — Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes
In Hennepin County, Black/African American individuals are disproportionately represented in the justice system, with a racial disproportionality index of 4.6 at the arrest stage compared to their population percentage. ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf)) ([Hennepin County Attorney's Office](https://www.hennepinattorney.org/-/media/cao/HCAO-Disparity-Reduction-Efforts-FINAL.pdf))
Disparity Reduction Efforts — Hennepin County Attorney's Office
Minneapolis's violent crime rate increased from 222 to 311 per 100,000 residents between 2019 and 2021, a 42% rise. ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line)) ([Minnesota Compass](https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/official-crime-rates-and-feelings-safety-do-they-line))
Official crime rates and feelings of safety: Do they line up? — Minnesota Compass
Hennepin County's population is approximately 67% White, with Black residents making up about 14%, Asian 8%, and Hispanic/Latino 7%. ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee)) ([Hennepin County](https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/CCA-2024-25-comprehensive-plan.pdf?hash=1D22D2DBD6C85DC4C3A8568E974676A1&rev=6df05b09e9df4d04a50c127b183711ee))
CCA 2024-25 Comprehensive Plan — Hennepin County
📌 Key Facts
- The employee worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and was identified in reports as responsible for vandalizing Teslas (keying) in Minneapolis.
- Time-and-attendance records show the DHS employee was recorded as 'on a break' or 'out sick' during some of the Tesla-keying incidents.
- The reporting includes specific dates and times where the employee's recorded work status overlapped with, or was adjusted around, the vandalism incidents.
- Despite those attendance discrepancies and the vandalism, DHS imposed only a one-day suspension on the employee.
- The Hennepin County Attorney placed the employee in a diversion program rather than filing felony charges.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Time‑and‑attendance records show the DHS employee was recorded as 'on a break' or 'out sick' during some of the Tesla‑keying incidents in Minneapolis.
- The article details specific dates and times where his work status overlapped with, or was adjusted around, the vandalism incidents.
- It reinforces that despite those discrepancies, DHS limited discipline to a one‑day suspension while the Hennepin County Attorney placed him in diversion rather than filing felony charges.