From NBC News · Alicia Victoria Lozano · · 1m 40s
Sinema's ex-bodyguard arrested after home rampage
Former senator's onetime romantic partner and security detail broke into her Arizona home and destroyed $200,000 in art and alcohol.
In brief
Former senator's onetime romantic partner and security detail broke into her Arizona home and destroyed $200,000 in art and alcohol. Matthew Ammel, who worked as Kyrsten Sinema's bodyguard and later as a Senate staffer, was arrested after allegedly breaking into her home and damaging valuable property while demanding…
Ex-bodyguard arrested for home invasion
Matthew Ammel, 39, broke into former Senator Kyrsten Sinema's Arizona home on August 30 while she was out of town and damaged $200,000 worth of artwork and expensive alcohol.
He demanded she post to social media
Ammel allegedly contacted Sinema and demanded she post a video to her X account, threatening to damage a painting every 10 minutes if she refused.
Paintings thrown in pool, bottles smashed
Sinema reported that Ammel threw about 22 paintings into her swimming pool, spray-painted one with black lettering, and scattered broken glass from alcohol bottles throughout her house.
Ammel worked as her bodyguard and staffer
Ammel joined Sinema's security team after retiring from the Army in 2022, accompanying her on domestic and foreign travel before becoming a national security fellow in her Senate office.
She's being sued under alienation law
A North Carolina judge ruled Sinema can be sued under the state's "alienation of affection" law by Ammel's ex-wife, who claims Sinema pursued him despite knowing he was married.
Ammel charged, released on recognizance
Ammel was arrested September 17 after being released from a mental health facility and charged with aggravated criminal damage. He's due in court in early October.
The short version
Matthew Ammel, who worked as Kyrsten Sinema's bodyguard and later as a Senate staffer, was arrested after allegedly breaking into her home and damaging valuable property while demanding she post to social media.
