Minnesota Man Arrested After Offering $45,000 Bounty for Killing of Attorney General Pam Bondi

A Minnesota man now faces federal charges after allegedly posting a shocking $45,000 bounty on TikTok for the killing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The case has raised serious concerns about online threats and the limits of social media security measures.

The Arrest: How FBI Tracked Down Tyler Avalos

Tyler Maxon Avalos, a 30-year-old resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, was arrested earlier this month following an FBI investigation that began on October 9, 2025. The investigation was triggered after a TikTok user in Detroit reported a disturbing post to the FBI's National Threat Operations Center.

According to court documents and an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Caleb Jurchisin, Avalos allegedly created a TikTok post featuring an image of Attorney General Bondi with a "sniper-scope red dot" digitally placed on her forehead. The post included text reading "WANTED: Pam Bondi. REWARD: 45,000. DEAD OR ALIVE (PREFERABLY DEAD)."

The Disturbing Details of the Threat

The threatening post didn't stop at the image and bounty offer. Avalos allegedly added a caption that read "*cough cough* when they don't serve us then what?" — a statement that federal investigators interpreted as a call to violence against the nation's top law enforcement official.

FBI agents were able to trace the account back to Avalos through cooperation from multiple technology companies. TikTok, Google, and Comcast provided crucial information showing that the account was registered using a Samsung Galaxy phone linked to Avalos's identity. The account also displayed anarchist symbols, including an anarchy symbol in the display name and a pinned link to an "Anarchist FAQ" book.

Criminal History Raises Additional Concerns

Court documents reveal that Avalos has a troubling criminal past spanning multiple states. In July 2022, he was convicted of felony stalking in Dakota County, Minnesota. His record also includes a 2016 misdemeanor domestic assault conviction in Minnesota and a 2016 felony third-degree domestic battery conviction in Polk County, Florida.

Additionally, federal prosecutors noted that Avalos faced a 2019 misdemeanor battery case in Dakota County, which appeared to have been reduced from a more serious felony domestic assault by strangulation charge. This pattern of violent behavior has become a central concern for federal authorities as they prosecute this case.

Legal Proceedings and Current Status

Avalos made his initial court appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Minneapolis earlier in October. Surprisingly, despite the serious nature of the charges, he was released on a personal recognizance bond last week. This decision has sparked debate among legal experts about the appropriate handling of alleged threats against federal officials.

Avalos's attorney, Daniel Gerdts, has publicly stated that "Mr. Avalos is not guilty of any crime," though he declined to provide further comment on the case. Legal analysts have noted that the First Amendment may complicate the federal government's efforts to prove that the post constituted a "true threat" under constitutional law, as opposed to protected political speech.

The First Amendment Challenge

The case presents a significant legal challenge for federal prosecutors. To secure a conviction, the government must prove that Avalos's post constituted a "true threat" — a statement that a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of intent to harm. This distinction is crucial because the First Amendment protects even offensive and controversial political speech.

Legal experts following the case note that the context of the post, including the visual imagery of a sniper scope and the explicit preference for Bondi to be brought in "dead," will likely be central to the prosecution's argument. However, defense attorneys may argue that such posts represent hyperbolic political expression rather than genuine threats.

Broader Implications for Social Media Security

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the role of social media platforms in preventing and reporting violent threats. TikTok's cooperation with federal authorities in this case demonstrates the platform's willingness to work with law enforcement, yet questions remain about how such content was allowed to be posted in the first place.

The case also underscores the critical role that ordinary citizens play in reporting suspicious content. The Detroit-based TikTok user who flagged the post to federal authorities potentially prevented a dangerous situation from escalating further. Federal officials encourage all social media users to report threatening content through appropriate channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What charges does Tyler Avalos face?

Avalos faces federal charges related to making threats against a federal official. The specific charges involve allegedly offering money for the killing of Attorney General Pam Bondi through social media.

Why was Avalos released on bond despite serious charges?

A federal magistrate judge determined that Avalos could be released on a personal recognizance bond, which means he was released without having to post bail money. The specific reasons for this decision were not publicly disclosed, but such decisions typically consider factors like flight risk and danger to the community.

How did the FBI identify Avalos?

The FBI traced the TikTok account through cooperation with TikTok, Google, and Comcast. These companies provided information showing that the account was registered using a Samsung Galaxy phone linked to Avalos's identity.

What is a "true threat" under the law?

A "true threat" is a statement that a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of intent to harm or kill another person. This legal standard is used to distinguish genuine threats from protected speech under the First Amendment.

Who is Pam Bondi?

Pam Bondi is the current Attorney General of the United States, serving as the nation's top law enforcement official. She previously served as Florida's Attorney General before her appointment to the federal position.

What Happens Next

As the case moves forward through the federal court system, prosecutors will need to build a compelling argument that Avalos's post crossed the line from protected speech into criminal threats. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how similar threats are prosecuted in the future, particularly those made on social media platforms.

Meanwhile, federal authorities continue to monitor online threats against government officials with increasing vigilance. The Department of Justice has made clear that threats of violence against federal officials will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of the platform on which they appear.