Man arrested outside Trump rally sues sheriff for defamation

A man arrested outside former President Donald Trump’s rally in California’s Coachella Valley on Saturday has sued the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and the sheriff himself for defamation.

Vem Miller, 49, of Las Vegas, filed the federal lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging deputies failed to follow “proper police practices” and that Sheriff Chad Bianco falsely claimed Miller was attempting to assassinate Trump.

Deputies arrested Miller at a checkpoint outside the rally for possessing a handgun, a shotgun, and a high-capacity magazine, authorities said.

Miller, who describes himself as a journalist and runs The America Happens Network, was booked on suspicion of possessing the firearms and the magazine. He was released on $5,000 bail on Sunday.

He does not currently face federal charges and has denied any intention to harm the former president or Republican presidential nominee.

“Sheriff Bianco knew that Miller was not charged with any wrongdoing concerning assassination attempts, and that U.S. Secret Service and FBI agents even declined to interview him,” Miller’s attorney, Sigal Chattah, said in the lawsuit. “Immediately after Miller’s arrest, Defendant Bianco did not miss an opportunity to fabricate allegations against Miller, going on numerous news outlets and claiming to have thwarted a third assassination attempt against presidential candidate Donald J. Trump.”

During a press conference on Sunday, Bianco, a Trump supporter, said deputies became suspicious of Miller after noting fake license plates on his vehicle and finding multiple passports with different names inside the car.

The sheriff also stated that Miller carried fake VIP press passes, but Miller said the entry passes were from the campaign.

In a statement to KTLA on Wednesday, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment on specifics.

“We are committed to transparency and will cooperate fully with the legal process. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of the community we serve,” the office said.

Chattah previously defended one of six Republican “fake electors” in Nevada. A Las Vegas judge dismissed that case due to lack of jurisdiction. Chattah also ran unsuccessfully for Nevada attorney general in 2022.

KTLA’s sister station KLAS-TV in Las Vegas contributed to this report.