A man was arrested for a weapons violation at a checkpoint near a rally for former President Donald Trump in Coachella Valley this weekend. According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, on Saturday, deputies stopped a black SUV and discovered that the driver was carrying a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine illegally.
The driver, identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller from Las Vegas, was arrested at approximately 4:59 p.m. at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive. Located at a checkpoint ahead of the former President’s rally, Miller was reportedly taken into custody without incident. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that the arrest "did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event."
Following the arrest, Miller was booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center and is facing charges of possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine. The context of Miller's presence near the rally with such weapons has yet to be clarified by authorities. In a briefing following the rally, Sergeant Ben Medina did not immediately respond to questions about any potential motive or plans the suspect may have had.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has encouraged anyone with information about the case to come forward. Deputy Coronado at the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station can be reached by calling (760) 836–1600 for further details. For those seeking more information or wishing to provide media inquiries regarding this incident, contact with the Media Information Bureau has been suggested.
