Kansas man charged in Tesla vandalism; family says car targeted because of politics

A man has been charged after allegedly vandalizing a Wellington family’s Tesla while they were out to eat at a west Wichita restaurant.

The Gill family has a Tesla, and had one before this one, because its automated driving function helps Abigail Gill drive more easily. The 18-year-old has spinal muscular atrophy. She uses a wheelchair.

The family believes the Tesla was targeted because of frustration with the owner of the company, Elon Musk.

Gill was out to eat with her mother, brother and boyfriend on March 20. Gill rode there with her boyfriend. Her mother and brother drove their family vehicle, a Tesla Model X.

After their meal, Gill’s mother noticed the family vehicle had been keyed on the passenger side. They then noticed the driver side had been keyed as well. They got home and pulled the video that records around the car and assists with the automated driving and saw something that disturbed them.

A man who had been sitting next to them had left the restaurant, keyed the passenger side of their car, then went back inside. He came out again and keyed the other side of the car and then picked up his family.

Besides catching the act and his face, the video also caught the license plate on his vehicle, Gill said.

She said the repair estimate was $17,000.

Johnathan F. Erhart was charged Friday with one count of criminal damage to property. If convicted, the 30-year-old Jefferson County man could be sentenced to five to 17 months in prison, under the Kansas sentencing guidelines. Depending on any prior criminal history, he could also be given probation or prison. He doesn’t appear to have any convictions in Kansas.

The Eagle spoke with Gill on Thursday, when police had identified a suspect but charges had not yet been filed.

She said they believe it was politically motivated vandalism, which has been happening across the country since Musk stepped into the political sphere as an adviser and de facto head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump.

But the vandalism hurt their family, not Musk, she said.

“We were super shocked and disappointed,” she said. “It’s a sad thing to see, especially here.”

The hope is that the suspect will have to pay for the damage, she said, adding that they did not talk about politics at the table next to the suspect and his family. She said they weren’t parked near each other.

This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 12:24 PM.