A man was arrested near a rally for former President Donald Trump in Coachella, California, on Saturday after police discovered two firearms and suspicious documents in his vehicle. Vem Miller, 49, was taken into custody by Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies at a security checkpoint near the rally site.
The authorities found a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine in Miller’s black SUV. Additionally, multiple passports with different names, fake driving licenses, and an unregistered vehicle with a homemade license plate were discovered. Despite these findings, the Secret Service confirmed that Trump was never in danger, and the incident did not impact protective operations.
Ongoing Investigation
Miller has been charged with possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. He was released on a $5,000 bail shortly after the arrest, and no federal charges have been filed at this time. The FBI, Secret Service, and U.S. Attorney’s Office are involved in an ongoing investigation.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who described Miller as a “lunatic” during a news conference, stated that it was too early to speculate on Miller’s intent. However, Bianco acknowledged that his deputies may have potentially prevented another assassination attempt, though no conclusive evidence has been found to support that claim.
Miller Denies Accusations
In an interview following his release, Miller denied any intention to harm Trump, stating that he is a strong supporter of the former president. He explained that the firearms found in his vehicle were for personal protection, as he had received death threats in the past. Miller also claimed that the documents found in his possession were legitimate, adding that his Armenian heritage led to having multiple forms of identification for safety reasons.
Miller dismissed accusations of being part of the far-right “Sovereign Citizens” movement, labeling such claims as “nonsensical.” He stated that his political beliefs align more with libertarian values and Constitutional rights, and he is not affiliated with any anti-government groups.
Heightened Security
This arrest comes amid heightened security for Trump, who has faced two alleged assassination attempts earlier this year. In one of those incidents, a sniper fired at Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, injuring him and killing an attendee. Despite the tensions surrounding Trump’s campaign rallies, authorities assured that there was no immediate threat to the former president in this recent event.
Federal investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of Miller’s arrest, while the Trump campaign has expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s efforts in ensuring the safety of their events.