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Donald Trump rally in California, man with loaded guns arrested, know more

Image of a police checkpoint near a rally, where Vem Miller was arrested for illegally possessing a shotgun and a handgun. The incident raised security concerns around Donald Trump's event in Coachella, California.

Donald Trump

A man was arrested for illegal possession of firearms near Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella, California, on Saturday. The suspect, 49-year-old Vem Miller, was stopped at a security checkpoint while driving a black SUV, where deputies discovered a loaded shotgun, a handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Miller was taken into custody without incident and charged with possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that Trump was not in danger during the incident, which did not affect the security measures in place for the rally. Sheriff Bianco described Miller as a “lunatic” but asserted that the incident did not compromise the safety of Trump or the attendees.

Sheriff Bianco expressed belief that his officers may have averted a potential assassination attempt, although he acknowledged that proving Miller's intentions would be challenging. A federal law enforcement official indicated there was no evidence linking the incident to an assassination plot, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether further charges are warranted.

The arrest occurred just an hour before Trump was scheduled to speak, highlighting the significant security operations surrounding him, particularly in light of two alleged assassination attempts earlier this year. Miller was charged with two misdemeanor weapons offenses and released on $5,000 bail, with a court date set for January 2, 2025.

During a press conference, Sheriff Bianco noted that while Miller initially appeared to belong in the area, several irregularities became apparent as he approached the inner perimeter. Officers discovered a homemade license plate, multiple passports with different names, and various driving licenses within Miller's vehicle.

Authorities also learned that Miller claimed affiliation with the far-right Sovereign Citizens movement, a group that rejects government authority. Sheriff Bianco clarified that while the group is anti-government, he would not categorize it as militant.

Miller has a history of minor legal issues and has previously run for the Nevada State Assembly. He is a registered Republican, owns a California-based CBD company, and has shared conspiracy theories and misogynistic views on social media. This incident underscores the ongoing concerns about security and the potential risks associated with political events, especially with the upcoming election.

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