(news nation) — Over the weekend, authorities in Riverside County, California, stopped an armed man outside former President Trump's rally.
Vem MillerThe 49-year-old was taken into custody by local sheriff's deputies after multiple identification cards and weapons were allegedly found in his car outside a rally in the Coachella Valley.
Authorities said the incident thwarted a third assassination attempt against Trump.
In July, Trump was grazed in the ear by a gunman when a gunman opened fire during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One rally participant was killed and two others were seriously injured. In September, Secret Service agents opened fire on a man who was allegedly armed and waiting outside Trump's golf course.
Here's what we know about Miller.
Who is Vem Miller?
Miller, a 49-year-old from Las Vegas, is running for the state House in 2022. He holds a master's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and reportedly considers himself a sovereign citizen.
His social media showed he supported Trump and claimed he was attending the rally on a special pass issued by the Republican Party.
What was Vem Miller arrested for?
Riverside County sheriff's deputies detained Miller at the second of three checkpoints outside the venue. They described his SUV as “disorganized” and had a fake license plate.
Several driver's licenses and passports with different names were found in the car, as well as two unregistered weapons and boxes of ammunition.
Miller reportedly said he attended Trump's rally in Nevada with the weapon in his trunk without any problems, and that he expected the same to happen in California.
Was Vem Miller trying to assassinate Donald Trump?
Local officials said the arrest thwarted a third assassination attempt against the former president.
No federal charges have been filed and the Secret Service said the former president was not in danger, but the incident is under investigation.
Miller said he was a supporter of Trump and did not intend to harm him.
Is Vem Miller a Republican?
Local news outlets reported that Miller is a registered Republican.
He ran for Nevada's 13th Congressional District as a Republican in 2022, but lost in the primary.
What is a sovereign people?
Mr. Miller is sovereign people. Sovereign peoples are those who claim that local, state, or federal law does not apply to them unless they consent to it.
Sovereign citizens may refuse to pay taxes on these grounds and create their own driver's licenses and license plates, contrary to the law.
Their arguments did not hold up in court.
Is Vem Miller still in prison?
Mr. Miller was released on $5,000 bail and is scheduled to next appear in court in January.
