Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s ex-bodyguard and alleged romantic partner threatened to punish her and reportedly threatened to behead a judge, according to disturbing text messages presented in court. Matthew Ammel appeared at a hearing after allegedly violating a no-contact order involving Sinema.
Prosecutors cited messages allegedly written by Ammel, saying they left Sinema “reasonably and objectively afraid” that the former security guard could seriously harm her, 12News reported Monday.
Ammel, who is accused of vandalizing Sinema’s home, was arrested Sept. 29 outside a Phoenix gun shop for allegedly violating the order. He remained jailed on a $25,000 bond as prosecutors sought to raise it to $100,000 in cash.
Investigators said they found messages allegedly targeting both Sinema and a North Carolina judge when Ammel was arrested. The judge was not identified, but Ammel’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, has filed a lawsuit in the state under its so-called “homewrecker” law.
“She needs to pay,” Ammel allegedly wrote in one message, while telling a bail bondsman that Sinema should cover the cost of his bond. Ammel is an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In another alleged message, Ammel wrote, “I’m taking her down no matter what it takes.” Prosecutors also said he wrote that Sinema “needs to be punished.”
It was not immediately clear when those messages were sent. During Monday’s Arizona hearing, however, an attorney representing Sinema as a victim described the effect they had on her.
The attorney said Sinema was “reasonably and objectively afraid” that Ammel could seriously injure her or another member of the community if released.
On Aug. 16, Ammel allegedly sent a message to military acquaintances threatening to decapitate a person and kill that individual’s entire family. The message included an anti-gay slur.
Ammel has previously pleaded guilty to assaulting a physician at a hospital in North Carolina.
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Prosecutors asked the court to increase his bond to $100,000 cash only. They acknowledged that the request “seems disproportionate” to the criminal damage charge stemming from the alleged destruction of Sinema’s Cave Creek home in late August.
“A high cash-only bond is the only way to protect the victim and the community, and to ensure he complies with court orders,” prosecutors argued.
Ammel remains in custody and would be placed under house arrest if he posts bond.
His release conditions would also include electronic monitoring.
Ammel joined Sinema’s security team in 2022, and the two later began a relationship before his divorce was finalized. He is scheduled to stand trial Feb. 9, 2027, over allegations that he caused more than $200,000 in damage to her home. Ammel has attributed the incident to his anger at the U.S. political system.
Authorities allege that he threw 22 paintings into Sinema’s swimming pool, smashed several costly alcohol bottles and destroyed a mirror.
Ammel has since said he damaged the property because Sinema refused to post a video showing soldiers helping a wounded man in Iraq.
The relationship between Sinema and her former bodyguard became public after Heather Ammel, his wife of 14 years, sued the former senator under North Carolina’s “homewrecker” statute.
Heather Ammel accused Sinema of contributing to the breakdown of her marriage by having an affair with her husband during trips the pair took around the world.
She also alleged that Sinema bought Ammel gifts and paid for him to undergo psychedelic treatment during the relationship.
