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Authorities in California announced the arrest of a suspect before former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday.
As Fox News reports, during a press conference on Sunday, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco provided details on Vem Miller, a 49-year-old Las Vegas resident who was found to be in illegal possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.
Bianco reported that just before 5 p.m., Miller approached the rally's perimeter in a black SUV at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive. He appeared to be authorized for entry into the VIP area.
While deputies were inspecting incoming vehicles, they noticed irregularities associated with Miller. "What we know is that he showed up with multiple passports under different names, an unregistered vehicle with a fake license plate, and loaded firearms. If you ask me, I believe our deputies prevented the third assassination attempt," Bianco stated.
Further investigation revealed that Miller’s vehicle was disorganized and bore a homemade license plate, indicating potential ties to a group that identifies as "sovereign citizens," who reject federal jurisdiction and often engage in illegal activities.
"I knew this was going to happen. I don’t care what political party he belongs to. He was a lunatic," Bianco said, labeling Miller's group as a fringe element that poses risks.
Miller was taken into custody without incident and booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center for possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. In an interview with Southern California News Group, Miller expressed disbelief at the allegations, claiming, “I’m an artist, I’m the last person that would cause any violence and harm to anybody.”
Miller stated he was unaware of the reasons for his arrest until eight hours later, when he was finally allowed to call a lawyer. He questioned why he was detained, pointing out that many attendees entered the venue without incident.
Sheriff Bianco emphasized the thoroughness of security measures, stating, “None of the other 50,000 people that showed up yesterday brought multiple passports with different names and guns.”
A source close to the Trump campaign told Fox News that they do not believe Miller's actions constituted an assassination attempt. A spokesperson for the campaign thanked law enforcement for ensuring the rally's safety, confirming they were monitoring the situation.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office indicated that the incident did not threaten Trump or the event attendees. Bianco noted that state law enforcement arrested Miller on firearm charges, while further inquiries would proceed through federal authorities.
The Department of Justice, Secret Service, and FBI acknowledged the incident in a joint statement, asserting that it did not impact protective operations and that Trump was not in danger. They also expressed gratitude to local law enforcement for their role in maintaining safety at the event.
[Information sourced from Fox News]
