On Tuesday, a federal grand jury indicted Manuel Tamayo-Torres from Tolleson on multiple charges, including threats against the President-elect and firearms offenses. The charges include four counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm, one count of threats against the President and successors to the presidency, one count of interstate threatening communications, and one count of possession of a firearm by a person subject to an order of protection.

According to the complaint, Tamayo-Torres was previously convicted in 2003 in California for assault with great bodily injury, a felony. In July 2023, an Arizona court issued an order of protection against him, valid for two years, restraining him from harassing or threatening his ex-wife. Both the conviction and the order prohibited him from possessing firearms. Despite this restriction, in November 2023, Tamayo-Torres attempted to purchase firearms twice, falsely claiming he had not been convicted of a felony and was not under an order of protection.

The complaint further alleges that in November 2024, Tamayo-Torres posted threats on social media targeting the President-elect of the United States. These posts included threats to kill the President-elect and harm his family. In at least one post, he displayed a firearm while making these statements. This firearm and others were later found in his home.

A conviction for false statement during the purchase of a firearm, threats against the President and successors to the presidency, or interstate threatening communications carries up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person carries up to 15 years in prison with similar fines.

Tamayo-Torres was arrested on November 25, 2024, in San Diego based on these complaints and remains detained pending a detention hearing in Arizona. An indictment is merely an accusation without implying guilt; individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt by evidence presented to a jury.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Phoenix Field Division and the United States Secret Service's Phoenix Field Office. The United States Marshals Service and Attorney’s Offices in both Arizona and Southern California are also providing assistance.