A man from Las Vegas was arrested on Saturday for carrying a loaded gun and a high-capacity magazine after deputies at a rally for former President Donald Trump in California’s Coachella Valley detained him at a checkpoint.

Federal law enforcement agencies confirmed that Trump was not at risk.

The arrested individual, identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller from Las Vegas, was stopped by deputies at 4:59 p.m. while driving a black SUV at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Authorities stated that Miller was illegally carrying a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine when he was apprehended. He was then taken into custody and booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

After posting a $5,000 bail, Miller is awaiting a court appearance. A federal inquiry into the matter is still in progress.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco commented that Miller approached the rally’s perimeter before it commenced and falsely claimed he was a VIP press member, which he was not. Deputies noted various “irregularities,” such as a fake license plate, leading to further investigation.

Along with the firearms, deputies discovered multiple passports and driver’s licenses with different names inside Miller’s vehicle. Sheriff Bianco indicated that the vehicle was unregistered and the license plate appeared to be homemade, resembling plates typically used by anti-government “sovereign citizens” groups.

“We appreciate law enforcement for ensuring the safety of the rally and President Trump,” stated Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign. “We are aware of reports regarding the arrest and are currently monitoring the situation for more information.”

Will Vem Miller face more charges?

It remains uncertain whether Miller will face federal charges concerning an attempted assassination of a political figure, which would be processed by the Justice Department.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Secret Service, and FBI acknowledged the Riverside Sheriff’s arrest on Saturday in a joint statement. “The U.S. Secret Service believes this incident did not disrupt protective measures and that former President Trump was not in any danger. While no federal arrest has been made at this time, the investigation is ongoing.”

Sheriff Bianco speculated that Miller might have intended to harm the former president.

“If you ask me now, I’d say our deputies likely thwarted what could have been the third assassination attempt,” said Bianco, who has openly supported Trump and endorsed his presidential campaign this past summer.

Trump addressed a crowd of several thousand at the Calhoun Ranch in Riverside County, just outside Coachella, around 5:30 p.m.—approximately half an hour later than scheduled.

Miller’s arrest follows two recent assassination threats aimed at Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign.

The latest incident occurred in September when an armed man was discovered near a fence at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, while Trump was playing. Earlier in July, an attack was made in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired at Trump from a nearby building, injuring him and killing a bystander.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Deputy Coronado at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836-1600.