Introduction to the Case
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. Bondi faced criticism from Democrats on the Justice Department’s targeting of Pr (Getty Images)
A Minnesota man is facing federal charges after being accused of offering a $45,000 bounty on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in a TikTok video.
St. Paul Man Arrested
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota has filed charges against Tyler Maxon Avalos of St. Paul. Avalos faces one count of making a threat online.
The complaint against Avalos details a TikTok post that includes a photo of AG Bondi with a sniper-scope red dot on her forehead and text that reads: "Wanted: Pam Bondi. Reward: 45,000. Dead or alive (preferably dead)".
Screenshots of the post are included in the complaint. The caption for the post reads: "cough cough – when they don’t serve us then what?" The screenshot shows the bounty post only had six likes and seven comments.
Investigation Details
Authorities were alerted to the post by a TikTok user who said the post was "imposing a hit" on Bondi. The video was posted to an account with the account name "Wacko" with the symbol for anarchy used for the "a" in the name. The account also had a post linking to an anarchist frequently asked questions site.
According to the complaint against Avalos, investigators were able to trace the account to a Samsung Galaxy phone that had multiple log-ins using an IP address linked to Avalos’s apartment on Hyacinth Avenue West. Investigators also found that other accounts registered to the Samsung phone included a Gmail account in Avalos’s name.
The Backstory
Investigators say Avalos has a criminal record including stalking and domestic assault. Avalos was later arrested and granted release on his own recognizeance.
Conclusion
The case against Tyler Maxon Avalos highlights the serious nature of online threats and the importance of law enforcement’s role in tracing and prosecuting such crimes. The use of social media platforms to issue threats or bounties on public figures is a concerning trend that requires vigilance and swift action from both the public and law enforcement agencies.
FAQs
- Q: What is Tyler Maxon Avalos charged with?
A: Avalos is charged with one count of making a threat online. - Q: What was the nature of the threat against AG Pam Bondi?
A: The threat included a TikTok post with a photo of AG Bondi and a text offering a $45,000 bounty for her, "dead or alive (preferably dead)". - Q: How was the account traced to Avalos?
A: Investigators traced the account to a Samsung Galaxy phone linked to Avalos’s apartment and found a Gmail account in his name registered to the same phone. - Q: What is Avalos’s current status?
A: Avalos was arrested and granted release on his own recognizance. - Q: What is the source of the information in this case?
A: The information comes from federal court documents.
