Man arrested near Trump Coachella rally for allegedly possessing illegal firearms

Deputies assigned to former President Donald Trump’s rally in California’s Coachella Valley arrested a Las Vegas man Saturday at a checkpoint for allegedly having a loaded firearm, a shotgun and a high-capacity magazine.

The suspect, identified by deputies as 49-year-old Vem Miller, was pulled over in a black SUV at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive in Coachella.

Deputies said in a news release that the suspect was “illegally in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.” 

Miller was taken into custody without incident, according to deputies. Following the arrest, he was booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center on charges of possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

Authorities confirmed that the incident did not compromise Trump’s safety or the safety of the rally attendees. 

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with additional information is urged to contact Deputy Coronado at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836–1600. 

Saturday’s incident follows two assassination attempts on Trump in the past three months. In July, a gunman opened fire during Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring Trump when a bullet grazed his ear and killing a rallygoer. Secret Service snipers shot and killed the gunman. And earlier this month, the Secret Service arrested a man with an AK-47-style weapon at Trump’s Florida golf course who was 300-500 yards from the former president. The man, Ryan Wesley Routh, has been charged with attempted assassination of a political figure in addition to firearms charges.