Anaheim man arrested, suspected of threatening Vice President J.D. Vance during Disneyland visit last summer

LOS ANGELES — An Anaheim man is facing a federal charge after allegedly promising “bloodshed” at Disneyland during a visit by Vice President J.D. Vance and his family last summer, according to court papers obtained Friday.

Marco Antonio Aguayo, 22, is accused of making threatening comments on Disney’s Instagram page on July 12, 2025, the same day Vance and his family visited the park.

“Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vance’s arrival,” Aguayo allegedly wrote, according to a federal complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Aguayo is charged with one count of making a threat against the president and successors to the presidency, the document shows. Aguayo was arrested Friday and is expected to make his initial court appearance Tuesday in Santa Ana federal court.

Federal prosecutors contend Aguayo posted two other comments: “It’s time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it.” and “Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians.”

According to the complaint, Aguayo initially denied making the posts when confronted by Secret Service agents, claiming his account had been hacked.

Later, however, he admitted making the threatening statements, saying he intended it merely as a joke to provoke attention and laughter, and forgot to delete what he had written, the complaint alleges.

“This case is a horrific reminder of the dangers public officials face from deranged criminals who would do them harm,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “I am grateful that my friend Vice President Vance and his family are safe, applaud the police work that led to the arrest and will ensure my prosecutors deliver swift justice.”

If convicted as charged, Aguayo could face up to five years in federal prison, prosecutors noted.