29-Year-Old Anarchist Nabbed for Allegedly Posting a $45,000 “Dead or Alive” Hit on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi
A disturbing case unfolded this week when 29-year-old Tyler Maxon Avalos was arrested on October 16 after allegedly offering a $45,000 “dead or alive” bounty on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi through TikTok. Federal investigators revealed that the social media post featured Bondi’s image with a sniper-style crosshair over it, alongside the words “WANTED: Pam Bondi / REWARD: $45,000 DEAD OR ALIVE.” The alarming message, spotted by a tipster, led the FBI to swiftly trace Avalos’s account, resulting in his arrest just days later.
According to officials, Avalos, who has a lengthy criminal record, used the handle “Wacko” on TikTok, where he often posted anarchist content and anti-government rhetoric. Investigators say his violent threat was part of a broader pattern of online activity promoting chaos and intimidation against political and legal figures. The FBI described the situation as a “credible murder-for-hire threat,” adding that Avalos’s post reached hundreds before it was taken down by TikTok moderators.
Court records reveal Avalos had previous convictions for stalking in Minnesota in 2022 and for domestic battery in Florida in 2016. Authorities allege that he crossed state lines while issuing his threats, which led to a federal charge under U.S. laws prohibiting the interstate transmission of threats to injure or kill. He now faces possible years in prison if convicted.
The Department of Justice confirmed that Bondi was alerted to the plot and immediately received additional security detail. While she has yet to release a personal statement, officials close to her say she was “deeply shaken but determined not to be intimidated.” For many who have worked with Bondi, the incident underscores the growing dangers faced by high-profile figures in a time when threats on social platforms have evolved into real-world violence.
This case comes amid heightened tensions nationwide over political divisions and the use of social media to incite harm. The alleged TikTok bounty on Bondi mirrors a disturbing trend of extremist online communities using public platforms to amplify violence and harassment against public officials. Analysts warn that the line between speech and violent action is becoming increasingly blurred, forcing federal agencies to expand their monitoring of digital threats.
Avalos appeared briefly in federal court, where prosecutors outlined the extent of his digital activity and presented evidence of his posts referencing other political figures. He is currently being held without bail pending psychiatric evaluation. The court ordered that he have no access to the internet, firearms, or alcohol while awaiting trial, describing him as a “potential danger to the public.”
Pam Bondi, known for her role in several high-profile prosecutions and for her tenure as Florida’s Attorney General before joining the Trump administration’s legal advisory circle, has been a frequent target of partisan attacks online. Supporters rallied behind her following the arrest, emphasizing that this incident represents not only a personal threat but also a broader attack on law enforcement integrity and political accountability.
For federal agencies, Avalos’s arrest serves as both a success story and a warning. It highlights how rapidly online extremism can escalate into real threats — and how important swift action remains in the digital age. As prosecutors prepare their case, the incident stands as another example of how easily hate can migrate from the screen to the street, and how vulnerable even the nation’s top law-enforcement officials have become in a polarized era.
