By Fatma Younis
A Venezuelan man who told Secret Service officers that voices in his head urged him to travel to Washington and kill President Donald Trump was arrested Thursday night near the White House, the Department of Homeland Security said Friday.
Arrest and Charges
Officers approached Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, 26, around 11:42 p.m. Thursday after finding him asleep in a blue Ford F-150 parked on Constitution Avenue. The vehicle had been reported stolen. Chrinos initially said he wanted to turn over weapons to the government, using Google Translate to communicate. He was charged with multiple firearms offenses, including carrying a rifle outside a home or business, unlawful transportation of firearms, unregistered firearms and ammunition, possession of dangerous weapons, carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property.
Weapons Recovered
A search of the truck yielded an AR-15 style rifle, a Mac 10 handgun, a Glock 43X pistol, and ammunition, according to DHS. Chrinos told investigators he had purchased the weapons a month earlier and had been living in the vehicle.
Suspect's Background
Federal officials said Chrinos entered the U.S. illegally in 2024, was arrested by Border Patrol, and later released. He told officers the truck belonged to his boss, who had lent it to him. A federal law enforcement source said prosecutors are reviewing the evidence and Chrinos is expected in federal court on Monday. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Official Response
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the arrest highlights agents' training and de-escalation efforts, but expressed alarm at the increase in threat cases. Chrinos remained in custody as of Friday.
