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Ex-bodyguard Matthew Ammel arrested for release violations

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 12:16 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. authorities arrested former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s ex-bodyguard Matthew Ammel for violating pre-trial release.
He was seized in a Phoenix Cheesecake Factory parking lot.
Ammel allegedly carried a military-style knife and threatened to “take down” Sinema and a North Carolina judge.
Prosecutors seek raising his bond from $25,000 to $100,000, citing fear of further retaliation.
He caused $200,000 damage to Sinema’s Cave Creek home, throwing 22 paintings into the pool.

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Story summary

U.S. authorities arrested former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s ex-bodyguard Matthew Ammel for violating pre-trial release.
He was seized in a Phoenix Cheesecake Factory parking lot.
Ammel allegedly carried a military-style knife and threatened to “take down” Sinema and a North Carolina judge.
Prosecutors seek raising his bond from $25,000 to $100,000, citing fear of further retaliation.
He caused $200,000 damage to Sinema’s Cave Creek home, throwing 22 paintings into the pool.