FILE – Donald Trump watches a video screen at a campaign rally at the Salem Civic Center, in Salem, Va, Nov. 2, 2024 (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File).
An Arizona man was arrested this week for allegedly making death threats against President-elect Donald Trump in videos posted online.
Manuel Tamayo-Torres stands accused of one count of making threats against a president or president’s successor and four counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.
The defendant was arrested by federal officials for an out-of-district offense in California and his federal case is currently docketed there, court records show. The charges against him were first filed in federal court in Arizona, where the case will be moved.
The charging document does not refer to Trump by name but makes clear he was the subject of the threats. A footnote reads: “At all times relevant to this Complaint, Individual 1 was a public figure, namely a former President and current President-elect.”
Prosecutors allege Tamayo-Torres posted “numerous lengthy videos” on Facebook where he “accused Individual 1 of kidnapping [his] children” and made “comments about Individual 1’s family members and various law enforcement individuals harming his children.”
In turn, Tamayo-Torres “made vague yet direct threats to harm Individual 1, Individual 1’s family members, and law enforcement. agents,” according to the criminal complaint.
One such threat contained in the complaint reads: “I’m going to f—ing kill you motherf—–. I’m going to tear your motherf—ing face out, your whole motherf—ing face, [Individual 1].”
Authorities say the threats were made in videos dating back months and posted “on a near-daily basis where he talks about [Individual 1] and his family kidnapping and sex-trafficking his children.”
Federal agents say Tamayo-Torres recorded more than one video at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Aug. 23, 2024, where Trump had a 2024 campaign rally that same night.
In one such video, the defendant allegedly “claims he observed [Individual 1] and Secret Service kidnap his daughter there.”
Most of the videos, however, were recorded at the defendant’s residence in the Grand Canyon State, according to the complaint, “based on the items seen in the background.”
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One item in one of the videos relevant to the case is a granted petition to dismiss a prior felony conviction, according to the complaint. That petition — which Tamayo-Torres is said to have held up and read from while on camera — shows that he was not allowed to “own, possess, or have custody for control over any firearm.”
The firearms offenses listed in the federal criminal complaint have to do with two separate visits to a gun store where the defendant allegedly lied about his criminal record and being subject to a protective order.
And yet, the defendant allegedly did possess a certain number of firearms — and posted videos and photos of himself with the guns.
On Nov. 13, the defendant allegedly made a threatening video while he brandished a rifle. From the complaint, at length:
In that video, TAMAYO-TORRES begins talking about how his ex-employer has some of his kids. He then accuses Individual 1 of touching his minor children. TAMAYO-TORRES continues to state that Individual 1 has used people to “f— up his life.” He also talks about Individual 1’s family members, saying they have the rest of their life to spend in prison and that law enforcement and Secret Service agents will all be imprisoned.
In the video, TAMAYO-TORRES continues to state that all parties involved will wish they were dead. He talks about Individual 1 being shot and states, “[Individual 1], when you get arrested and we start coming for you, when these f—ing pigs, these f—ing cops, the federal government, start doing their f—ing job, you’re going to cry for your life and the life of your children, [Individual 1]. Trailer park trash [Individual 1].”
“[O]n May 5, 2024, he posted a photo holding a bullpup-style shotgun, a photo of him holding the white AR15-style rifle, and a PCC-style firearm,” the complaint continues. “This white AR15-style rifles appears to match the one seen in the threatening video posted on November 13, 2024.”
On Nov. 21, a similar series of threats were made against Trump and his family, according to the charging document.
“[Individual I] you’re gonna die, [Individual I], your son’s gonna die,” the complaint reads — allegedly quoting the defendant directly. “Your whole family is going to die, [Individual 1]. This is reality now for you. This is the only reality you have in your future, [Individual 1], dying. Thinking you could mix your f—ing retarded ass blood, and your family, with someone like me you motherf—–. Die to become royalty, [Individual 1] ?”
Federal agents allege Tamayo-Torres goes on “to say that Individual 1’s son will be sent to federal prison as an adult and be tortured and in a wheelchair.”
The comments attributed to the defendant evidence an obsession with the criminal underworld — like sex trafficking and drug cartels.
Also in that video dated Nov. 21, the defendant allegedly says:
[Individual 1] thinking he’s a white privileged man. You’re Caucasian nothing. You’ll earn nothing. Aryan money, that’s all you have. You’re a low life scum, I’ll spit in your f—ing face motherf—–. And if they give me a chance, I’m going to f—ing bury you myself, [Individual 1]. If they give me a chance to bury you, to kill you, murder you, [Individual 1], torture you, and break you in the system. If the courts give me a privilege of payback for the people that murdered my daughter and prostituted, trafficked my kids since they were in diapers, [Individual 1].
In another video from that same day, Tamayo-Torres allegedly references the cartels and holds up a Glock handgun.
Then, in another video from Nov. 21, in the context of another “rant” about the cartels, the defendant threatens U.S. Secret Service members with potential prison rape.
“Secret Service, since you have done a lot of [Individual 1’s] dirty work, you’re the target too, you know that already,” the charging document reads. “Bring your guns, your sniper guns, start getting your exercise on. I’m only here, not so much longer. I know you guys have a big mouth and you run it. Why don’t you put that running of your mouth into action? I’m always ready. Barefoot, my socks, my boxers, naked, I’m always ready for a chase. Think about that Secret Service boys.”
