Federal prosecutors have charged a Minnesota man accused of posting a violent threat on TikTok targeting U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, offering a cash bounty for her death.
According to an affidavit filed in federal court, Tyler Maxon Avalos, of St. Paul, faces federal charges for allegedly making interstate threats after posting a TikTok video earlier this month that showed Bondi’s face marked with a red sniper scope. The image, captioned “WANTED: Pam Bondi. REWARD: $45,000. DEAD OR ALIVE (PREFERABLY DEAD).”
The FBI says the video’s caption also read, “cough cough, when they don’t serve us then what?” — a phrase investigators interpreted as a direct call for violence against a federal official.
Agents tracked the TikTok account to Avalos through his phone number and email, according to the affidavit. The FBI noted that his profile included an anarchy symbol and a link to an “Anarchist FAQ” — a document often cited by anti-government extremists.
Authorities arrested Avalos on October 16, the same day the charges were filed. He made his first appearance in federal court the following morning. Prosecutors say he has a “multi-state conviction history,” including stalking and domestic violence charges in Minnesota and Florida dating back nearly a decade.
Avalos was released under strict conditions: a GPS ankle monitor, nightly curfew, restricted internet use, and mandatory mental health treatment. He is barred from possessing firearms or alcohol and cannot leave Minnesota while awaiting trial.
His attorney, Daniel Gerdts, told Law&Crime that Avalos “is not guilty of any crime,” and claimed the video was “misinterpreted and not a credible threat.” Federal prosecutors and the Justice Department declined to comment.
Bondi, who was appointed Attorney General under President Donald Trump earlier this year, has drawn intense criticism from Democrats and civil rights groups for her aggressive approach to immigration and her recent role in cases involving immigrant defendants. FBI officials said there’s no indication that Avalos had the means to carry out his threat or any direct contact with extremist groups, but they described the case as part of a “rising tide of online threats toward public officials.”
The affidavit noted that the TikTok threat was reported to federal authorities on October 9, one day before the FBI opened its investigation. The agency described the video as “overtly violent in tone and intent” and said it reflected a growing trend of social media users “weaponizing visibility” to incite real-world harm.
The case comes just days after another high-profile arrest — a man pardoned by Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack was charged last week for allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
If convicted, Avalos faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 12 in Minneapolis.
