A man was arrested near a Donald Trump rally in Coachella on Saturday for illegal possession of a shotgun and a loaded handgun. Vem Miller, 49, was apprehended by deputies at a security checkpoint while driving a black SUV, which contained the firearms and a high-capacity magazine.
The Riverside County Sheriff's office confirmed that Miller was taken into custody without incident and charged with possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. He was later released on a $5,000 bail.
The U.S. Secret Service stated that Trump was "not in any danger" and that the incident did not disrupt protective operations for the rally. No federal charges have been filed against Miller at this time.
Sheriff Chad Bianco referred to Miller as a "lunatic" and expressed confidence that his officers had prevented a potential threat, possibly an assassination attempt, although he acknowledged that proving the suspect's intent might be challenging. Federal officials have stated there is currently no evidence suggesting an assassination attempt related to the incident.
The sheriff's office disclosed that Miller's vehicle displayed a homemade license plate and was found to contain multiple passports and driving licenses under different names. Authorities noted that Miller claimed to be affiliated with the far-right group known as Sovereign Citizens, although Bianco clarified that he could not definitively confirm his membership.
The arrest occurred just weeks before the election, underscoring the heightened security measures surrounding Trump following previous alleged assassination attempts. In a recent rally in Pennsylvania, Trump experienced a close call when a sniper fired shots in his direction, resulting in one casualty.
Federal authorities, including the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI, are continuing to investigate the incident. They expressed gratitude to local law enforcement for their role in ensuring the safety of the event.
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