Federal authorities are looking into an incident involving a man arrested at a checkpoint near a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump on Saturday. The Justice Department announced that the Secret Service and FBI are investigating this event, which occurred in Coachella, California, approximately a quarter-mile from the rally site.
According to Martin Estrada, the U.S. attorney for Central California, the Secret Service determined that the event did not affect security operations, and former President Trump was not at risk. Although no federal charges have been filed, the investigation is ongoing.
A law enforcement official confirmed there was no evidence to suggest an assassination attempt on Trump. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco held a news conference on Sunday, stating that the man was stopped at around 5 p.m. local time while trying to enter the secured area of the venue. A deputy observed that the interior of his SUV appeared disorganized and that the vehicle displayed a counterfeit license plate.
Upon inspection, deputies discovered two unregistered firearms—a shotgun and a loaded handgun—along with multiple boxes of ammunition. The venue in question is a ranch used by the Empire Polo Club, which previously hosted the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
The arrested individual, identified as Vem Miller, claimed he had been invited to the rally by another attendee and suggested he was attending as a journalist. Authorities found several counterfeit identification documents in various names within his vehicle.
Miller, 49, from the Las Vegas area, was charged with carrying a loaded firearm and possessing a large-capacity magazine, both misdemeanors under California law. He was released from custody before midnight, and further inquiries into his motives are being handled by federal law enforcement.
A Secret Service representative stated that agents conducted a productive intelligence interview in the wake of the incident, and it did not disrupt the event. The representative added that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the case and the backgrounds of those involved.
It was confirmed that Trump was not present when Miller was stopped at the checkpoint. A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign seemed unaware of the incident when questioned and did not provide further comments after receiving more details.
Trump is currently campaigning for another presidential term as the Republican nominee against Vice President Kamala Harris. He has faced assassination attempts in the past, including incidents in July and September.
Sheriff Bianco noted that the individual had made it through an outer perimeter by appearing to belong there, but he expressed confidence that Miller would not have successfully passed the inner perimeter of security, especially given his implausible story about having permission to attend.
He emphasized that the entry process required passing through metal detectors at a pedestrian checkpoint managed by the Secret Service. Bianco remarked on how the situation could have escalated if not for the prompt actions of deputies who apprehended Miller early in the process.
He pointed to the counterfeit license plate and the vehicle’s lack of proper documentation as signs that the man may have links to the anti-government sovereign citizen movement. Miller is set to appear in court on the weapons charges in Indio on January 2.