Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old resident of Benson, Arizona, was arrested on August 22, 2024, for allegedly issuing death threats against former President Donald Trump on social media. The arrest took place during a traffic stop after the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office initiated a manhunt for Syvrud.

The arrest coincided with Trump’s visit to Cochise County, Arizona, where he gave a speech near the U.S.-Mexico border as part of his 2024 presidential campaign. The Sheriff’s Office has reported that Syvrud posted threats against Trump on social media platforms over the past week. Although the details of these threats were not disclosed, law enforcement agencies treated them with utmost seriousness, adhering to their zero-tolerance policy against threats to public figures.

Law enforcement had been attempting to locate Syvrud for a while as he was wanted on multiple charges in Arizona and Wisconsin. These charges included driving under the influence (DUI), failure to appear in court, hit-and-run, and not registering as a sex offender. The Sheriff’s office confirmed that Syvrud’s capture was prioritized due to his classification as an “investigative lead for threats to kill a presidential candidate,” especially in light of Trump’s scheduled visit to the border.

Attempts to locate Syvrud at his home on Wednesday evening proved unsuccessful. However, the search continued into Thursday, leading to his arrest without any further incident.

Following an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally six weeks prior, security measures were heightened for Trump’s event. The enhanced security involved more Secret Service personnel and local law enforcement officers. Although Trump was not made aware of the specifics of Syvrud’s case prior to his arrival, he noted that threats have become a regular occurrence in his life.

Syvrud is currently in custody, facing a host of charges including threatening a presidential candidate. His previous charges, which span multiple states, will be addressed in court proceedings. This incident underscores a wider trend of threats against high-profile political figures during the 2024 election cycle.