Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old Arizona man, was taken into custody for allegedly threatening to kill former President Donald Trump.
The arrest was made in Cochise County just before a campaign event, Fox News reported.
Syvrud was apprehended without incident on Thursday afternoon by local authorities. His arrest followed a series of inflammatory social media posts over two days in which he directed threats towards the former president.
In addition to the charges related to threats against Trump, Syvrud has a complicated legal history. He holds outstanding warrants in Wisconsin for DUI and in Graham County, Arizona, for a hit-and-run incident and felony failure to register as a sex offender. Further, Syvrud's name appears on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sex offender registry for "second-degree sexual assault of a child."
Notably, his most recent legal issue involved an assault charge this June, which was subsequently dismissed in July.
Syvrud's arrest highlights ongoing security concerns surrounding Trump, who has been campaigning vigorously for a political comeback. Just last month, Trump faced an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Subsequently, he has been seen behind bulletproof glass at campaign events, demonstrating the heightened security measures.
Despite the recent arrest and previous assassination attempt, Trump remains committed to his campaign activities. At a recent campaign rally in Asheboro, North Carolina, he spoke from behind bulletproof glass, an indication of the serious security measures now routine at his events.
Carol Capas, the Public Information Officer for Cochise County, stated, "Syvrud made threatening posts on social media targeting Trump over two days."
Trump, when informed about the search and threats during a campaign stop, responded with a mixture of surprise and resolve. "I haven't heard about that. They probably want to keep it from me," he mentioned during a press interaction.
"Thank you for telling me. Let's get out of here, right now," he added, illustrating his immediate concern about the situation. Trump also expressed a broad respect for law enforcement officials who are involved in protecting him.
The U.S. Secret Service is actively engaged in this case, tracking developments related to Syvrud's threats. While they are aware, they have referred all inquiries to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office, which is leading the investigation.
Syvrud's capture was part of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies, mindful of the serious nature of his threats and his previous criminal record. Additional charges against him are anticipated as the authorities continue to investigate the full scope of his actions.
Despite the challenges, Trump remains stalwart in his campaign efforts. "I've heard about that. But I have to do my job. It's a job. It's a dangerous job, but I have to do my job," Trump shared, signalling his intent to press forward with his political agenda despite potential threats. In summary, as the case against Ronald Lee Syvrud progresses, it serves as an acute reminder of the rigorous security that surrounds former presidents and political figures amidst the backdrop of an increasingly tense and divided political climate.
