A Minnesota man has been arrested after allegedly posting a photograph to TikTok of a wanted “dead or alive” poster for Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to court documents.
Newsweek reached out to his attorney, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for comment via email. They did not respond by publication.
Why It Matters
The arrest follows growing political violence over recent months, including the assassinations of Democratic Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A new Pew Research Center poll, which surveyed 3,445 adults from September 22 to September 28, found 85 percent of Americans believe there has a rise in political violence.
What to Know
The FBI received a report about a post that appeared to be “imposing a hit on Bondi for $45,000,” according to an affidavit reviewed by Newsweek.
The post included a photograph of Bondi with the text: “Wanted Pam Bondi / Reward: 45,000 / Dead or alive (preferably dead),” according to the document. The post had the caption, “When they don’t serve us then what?”
Police said they traced the post to Tyler Maxon Avalos, 29, who they say also included references on an account to anarchism, the affidavit states.
He was arrested and charged with communications consisting of an online post containing a threat to injure the person of another, according to court documents.
Following his arrest, Avalos appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko, who granted him conditional release. Terms of Avalos’ release include a prohibition on travel outside Minnesota, continuing mental health treatment, no possession of weapons or alcohol, GPS monitoring, a curfew, and restricted use of the internet, according to court documents.
The affidavit alleged previous crimes, including a stalking conviction from 2022, as well as third-degree domestic assault and battery charges from 2016.
Others have also faced charges for making alleged threats against prominent politicians.
In July, a man from Rhode Island was charged over posts made about Bondi, Trump and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Those posts allegedly included death threats, prosecutors said.
Meanwhile, a report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) reported a surge in online death threats made against former President Barack Obama in July after the officials alleged his administration “manipulated and withheld” key information on the extent to which Russia was involved in the 2016 election.
What People Are Saying
The affidavit reads: “Based on the foregoing, Your Affiant has probable cause to believe that Avalos did knowingly transmit, in interstate and foreign commerce, the communications consisting of an online post containing a threat to injure the person of another.”
What Happens Next
Avalos’ case will continue moving through the legal system as concerns about potential political violence continue to grow across the United States.
