title: “Sinema’s ex-lover had ‘large’ knife, threatened to ‘take her down’ before arrest at Cheesecake Factory: police” url: “https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/sinemas-ex-lover-had-large-knife-threatened-take-her-down-before-arrest-cheesecake-factory-police” author: “Elias Weiss”
Kyrsten Sinema’s ex-bodyguard, beau re-arrested
Kyrsten Sinema’s ex-bodyguard Matthew Ammel was arrested again in Phoenix after violating pretrial release.
The former bodyguard and ex-boyfriend of one-time Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema was arrested again on Sept. 30 after authorities say he violated his pretrial release by dropping off a “large, military-style knife” at a gun store — and threatening to kill judges and police officers.
What we know:
Prosecutors with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed an emergency motion on Wednesday requesting a judge increase the bond for 39-year-old Matthew Ammel to $100,000 cash-only. The filing comes less than two weeks after Ammel’s initial arrest for allegedly causing nearly $200,000 in damage to Sinema’s Cave Creek home, when he was given supervised release.
Now, state attorneys are warning that the U.S. Army veteran poses an escalating danger to the public and to Sinema after threatening to “take her down.”
Matthew Ammel appears in court, center, following his re-arrest for violating pretrial release conditions in a felony domestic violence case involving former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, right.
According to court records, Pretrial Services was alerted by North Carolina authorities on Tuesday that Ammel was actively trying to acquire guns and tactical gear while making threats against a judge. Later that afternoon, Ammel’s court-ordered GPS tracker placed him at a firearm retailer in north Phoenix, where a sheriff’s detective learned Ammel had left a large “hunting-style” knife to be engraved.
State prosecutors said in court documents that police have serious safety concerns due to Ammel’s “erratic” behavior, “highly skilled” military training and efforts to have “military friends” help him assemble a rifle. Court filings say Ammel prepared for violence by discussing funeral arrangements and making threats against the lives of sitting judges, lawyers and police personnel.
The arrest:
Detectives with the Arizona State Gang Task Force helped lure Ammel out of his hotel room on 24th Street and Camelback Road and asked him to walk across the street to The Cheesecake Factory parking lot, where he was taken into custody on Sept. 29 at 9:45 p.m.
Ex-bodyguard accused of trashing former Arizona Senator’s home
The former bodyguard to ex-Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a felony charge after deputies say he caused over $200,000 in damage at her Cave Creek home. FOX 10’s Jacob Luthi reports.
Dig deeper:
Prosecutors now say Ammel also broke a court protective order shortly after his initial release by getting an acquaintance to reach out to Sinema on his behalf. On top of his Arizona charges, Ammel was already serving unsupervised probation for a prior felony case in North Carolina.
The backstory:
The original criminal charge stems from an Aug. 30 incident where deputies say Ammel entered Sinema’s home while she was away, demanding she post a video to X. When Sinema refused, Ammel allegedly destroyed 22 paintings valued at over $123,000 by throwing them into her backyard pool and shattered expensive alcohol bottles and mirrors throughout the house.
Ammel was initially taken into custody on Sept. 17 after he was discharged from a mental health facility; he was charged with felony aggravated criminal damage domestic violence. The criminal cases follow Sinema’s court filing acknowledging an affair with Ammel in response to an “alienation of affection” lawsuit brought against her in North Carolina by Ammel’s wife.
What’s next:
A judge set a $25,000 bond following the knife incident. Ammel will be arraigned on Oct. 7, with a pretrial conference scheduled for Jan. 20, 2027.
Map of where a state task force nabbed Sinema’s ex a second time:
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from Maricopa County Superior Court records, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and North Carolina civil and criminal court records.
Isn’t this the guy she had an affair with and his wife is suing her for that?
Yup. Nobody here is the brightest crayon in the box.
got any popcorn??
Thank GOD she Used her Position of Power to
HELP her Constituents!Rack up HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of Dollars in Art purchases!Hey now, those art pieces can be appraised and donated later for large tax breaks. Just think of how much more corrupt she’d have to be if she wasn’t able to increase her tax efficiency. You should be thanking her.
Still a piece of garbage even though she’s no longer in office.
The incident took place Aug. 30 while Sinema, I-Ariz., was out of town, according to charging documents. Matthew Ammel, 39, allegedly contacted Sinema and demanded that she post a video to her X account. He told her that if she declined to do so, he would damage a painting every 10 minutes, according to the documents.
Sinema told law enforcement officers that she refused, prompting Ammel to take down about 22 paintings and throw them into the swimming pool, according to a probable cause statement.
The headline had me imagining a way different crime. Like, him drugged up and running through the house with a bat. Not this…art hostage situation?
This is crazy timing. I was struggling so hard last night to remember who did the little curtsy and thumbs down when voting against raising the minimum wage.
Rampaging is a cool ass crime like damn if you were in the hoosegow and some guy Hoss or w/e was all “what’r ye in for” and you tell him “rampage” he will probably be like damn and nod that respectful nod reserved only for certain crimes
Ex bodyguard, former lover, rampager
Hell of a business card 😁
I love how people just assume I’m a sexual deviant because I’m transgender and constantly over share their sexual secrets with me while people in power are constantly getting caught in actual immoral and nonconsensual acts. I’m still missing necrophilia on the bingo card, i didn’t miss that one right?
Earlier this month, a North Carolina judge ruled that the former senator could be sued under the state’s “home-wrecker” law over her relationship with Ammel, who was married at the time of their relationship.
North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allow spurned spouses to sue for “alienation of affection” and to seek compensation from a third party responsible for the breakup of their marriage.
Lol.
Terrible person has an affair with another terrible person, then terrible things happen. Got it.
Nothing to actually help people, corruption on full display, affair with a married man…
This is why people don’t trust politicians.
Thoughts and prayers
I really want to know what is in that video that he wanted posted was.
