Federal prosecutors say an Anaheim man is facing a federal charge after allegedly posting a string of menacing comments on Disneyland’s official Instagram, claiming pipe bombs had been stashed around the park ahead of Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit last summer. Marco Antonio Aguayo, 22, is accused in a federal complaint of making threats against the president and successors to the presidency.
Threat Comments and the Federal Complaint
According to federal filings, the comments appeared at 6:14 p.m. on July 12, 2025, under the handle "@jesses_andamy." One of the posts allegedly read, "Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vance’s arrival," alongside other warnings that predicted bloodshed if the supposed devices were not found. Prosecutors say those posts form the basis of a single federal count against Aguayo, accusing him of targeting the vice president during what was supposed to be a family trip to the park, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Investigation and Arrest
On the day of Vance’s Disneyland visit, U.S. Secret Service agents and an Anaheim Police sergeant went to Aguayo’s apartment, according to the complaint. Filings say investigators later obtained a warrant to search his phone and a shared laptop, where they allegedly turned up multiple Instagram accounts.
At first, Aguayo reportedly denied any knowledge of the threatening posts and suggested his account might have been hacked. Filings say he later told agents he wrote the comments as a joke to get attention, a punchline that did not land with federal authorities. Local reporting says he was taken into custody Friday afternoon, citing the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as noted by KABC.
Legal Stakes
Aguayo is charged under 18 U.S.C. § 871, a federal law that makes it a crime to threaten the president or those in the presidential line of succession. A conviction can carry a prison sentence of up to five years, according to the U.S. Code text published by the Legal Information Institute.
Vance’s Disneyland Visit and Local Protests
Vance’s July trip to the Disneyland Resort was already drawing heat before the alleged threats surfaced. His stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel pulled protesters to the property and lit up social media with videos of his motorcade and security detail weaving through the so-called Happiest Place on Earth. The visit was not listed on the vice president’s public schedule and sparked demonstrations, according to TheWrap.
What Happens Next
Prosecutors say the case will move forward in federal court, though records do not yet indicate whether Aguayo has an attorney. "We will not tolerate criminal threats against public officials," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Disneyland declined to comment on the complaint, and filings and media reports indicate that park operations were not visibly affected by the alleged online threat.
