Arrest at Security Checkpoint Outside Trump Rally
A Nevada man was arrested Saturday night at a security checkpoint outside a Donald Trump rally in Coachella, Southern California. The suspect, a 49-year-old Las Vegas resident, was found with a shotgun, a loaded handgun, ammunition, and several fake passports in his unregistered vehicle. The arrest took place ahead of Trump’s arrival at the rally, and the suspect was later released on $5,000 bail.
Discovery of Weapons and Fake Documents
The suspect, driving an SUV with a “homemade” license plate, was stopped by Riverside County deputies during routine security checks for the rally. According to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the driver claimed to be a journalist, but deputies became suspicious due to the disorganized state of the vehicle’s interior. A search revealed the firearms, ammunition, multiple fake passports, and driver’s licenses under different names.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, charges that led to his release on bail the same day.
No Impact on Trump’s Rally or Attendees’ Safety
Authorities stressed that the incident did not pose a direct threat to former President Donald Trump or the rally attendees. “This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or the event’s participants,” Sheriff Bianco said during a press conference. Trump had not yet arrived at the rally when the suspect was apprehended.
The suspect had made it through an outer security perimeter but was stopped at an inner checkpoint managed by the sheriff’s department. A closer security boundary was overseen by the U.S. Secret Service. The agency later confirmed that the event was not compromised, and Trump was never in danger.
Investigation Ongoing, Motive Unclear
The man is scheduled to appear in court on January 2, 2025. Authorities have not speculated on the suspect’s motives, but Sheriff Bianco noted, “We know we prevented something bad from happening, and it was irrelevant what that bad was going to be.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that while no federal charges have been filed, the investigation is ongoing. The arrest comes amid heightened security at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. In Florida, a man was indicted for an attempted assassination after allegedly staking out Trump for 12 hours. In a separate incident, Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this year.
