The man who was arrested Saturday outside a rally for former President Donald Trump in Coachella shared his side of the story.
Vem Miller was arrested after he “was found to be illegally in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine,” according to the Riverside Sheriff’s Department.
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Miller, a former Los Angeles resident, shared his account of what happened in a lengthy video statement that was posted Sunday night on his website, America Happens.
“I'm a Trump caucus captain,” said the 49-year-old, who also goes by the name Vem Yenovkian. “I've collected votes for Donald Trump and I'm also a Trump team leader. It is with that I decided to come to Coachella after receiving a special invitation from members of the Nevada Republican Party.”
During a Sunday press conference, Sheriff Chad Bianco said that Miller “gave all indications that he belonged there, that he was a participant that was allowed to get into VIP and a press corps.”
Miller, however, said that’s not the case.
“I wasn't there on their press pass. That's a lie,” he said. “The evidence will reflect that it was a special invitation.”
While Sheriff Bianco said the car Miller was driving had a license plate that “law enforcement would recognize as one that is homemade and indicative of a group of individuals that claim to be Sovereign Citizens,” Miller called that a “nonsensical statement.”
Miller maintained that the only thing he did wrong was not understanding California’s gun laws. He said he had a shotgun and handgun in the back of his vehicle for personal protection but has never fired either.
“The Glock is loaded. Frankly, it's loaded, and in Nevada, that's not been an issue,” he said. “I did not know that in California you have to separate the mag from the gun. Learned that lesson, I guess.”
Miller told the Los Angeles Times on Monday he plans to sue the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff Bianco told L.A.’s Morning News that he’s heard Miller’s statement and that he’s not being honest.
“He's now making himself out to be the victim, and he is not,” he said. “So the bottom line and what we know is he showed up with an unregistered vehicle with fake license plates, he had multiple passports with multiple variations of names. He had loaded guns in the car, and he was arrested for those weapons, on weapons violations of California law.”
Sheriff Bianco added that Miller and the deputy “had a very good interaction” at the rally.
“So to listen to him in his account of what happened, he's just not being honest,” he said. “So this just keeps getting more bizarre.”
Miller was cited and released on Monday. He is scheduled to appear in court in January, according to City News Service.
On X, Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the United States Secret Service, shared the following joint statement:
"The U.S. Attorney's Office U.S. Secret Service, and FBI are aware of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office's arrest on Saturday. The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger. While no federal arrest has been made at this time, the investigation is ongoing. The U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Secret Service, and FBI extend their gratitude to the deputies and local partners who helped ensure the safety of last night's events."
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