In a dramatic turn of events, Vem Miller was arrested on suspicions of planning a potentially lethal attack near a rally held by former President Donald Trump in Coachella, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
Axios reported that a 49-year-old man named Vem Miller from Las Vegas was apprehended near a Trump rally with weapons and fictitious credentials, possibly foiling a third assassination attempt.
The incident unfolded near the rally's location at a security checkpoint before 5 PM on Saturday. Law enforcement officers discovered Miller in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine, all unlawfully carried in his vehicle.
Miller, attempting to gain unauthorized access to the event, presented counterfeit credentials, falsely asserting himself to be a journalist with "VIP status." This led to suspicions and his subsequent arrest by the authorities patrolling the perimeter.
The vehicle he arrived in further raised suspicions; it was unregistered and bore a fake license plate. The license was linked to the sovereign citizen movement, which the FBI identifies as a group with anti-government extremist tendencies.
Upon his arrest, multiple passports were found on Miller, adding layers to the complexities of his intentions and potential background connections.
This discovery was part of the protocol to ascertain his genuine identity and the breadth of the threat he might have posed.
Miller was taken to the John J. Benoit Detention Center, where he was booked under charges of possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. Despite the severe allegations, he was released on a $5,000 bail as per the recordings in the Riverside County Inmate Information System.
With the cooperation of the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
These efforts underscore the continuing threat assessments and security precautions surrounding high-profile public figures.
The quick action by law enforcement ensured that the rally attendees, as well as former President Trump, remained safe. The arrest, occurring at the outskirts of the event, did not interrupt or impact the ongoing rally, ensuring no immediate danger to the public or the former President.
The Riverside County Sheriff, Chad Bianco, emphasized the significance of the arrest stating that it "probably prevented" what could have been a "third assassination attempt" on Donald Trump. Trump's history with such threats includes two prior attempts during this election campaign.
Reliefs were shared by Trump's campaign team as well, with Steven Cheung, director of communications for the Trump campaign, extending gratitude towards the swift actions of law enforcement, affirming their role in preserving the security of the event and safety of President Trump.
The collaboration between federal and county officials was highlighted in a joint statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, and the Secret Service.
They reassured the public that the protective measures in place were effectively operative and that Trump was "not in any danger" at any point during the incident.
This event underscores the critical importance of security measures at political rallies, a notion supported thoroughly by both public and private security details assigned to safeguard such events. The ongoing investigations will aim to further decode Miller's intentions and affiliations.
In conclusion, the arrest of Vem Miller at Trump's Coachella rally, potentially interrupting a perilous plan, serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges at public political events.
Miller's possession of weapons and fake credentials, along with his suspicious vehicle and the quick response by authorities, emphasizes the complexity of protecting high-profile figures in today's political climate. Law enforcement's collaboration and proactive approach were pivotal in thwarting any threat to the rally's safety, reaffirming their vital role in national security.