# 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.
- Title: Sinema's ex-bodyguard arrested after home rampage · NBC News
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: kyrsten sinema, matthew ammel, arizona, home invasion, property damage, bodyguard, senate staff, criminal charges, alienation of affection lawsuit, north carolina, politics, news
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kyrsten-sinema-ex-boyfriend-matthew-ammel-arrested-damaging-200k-art-h-rcna599614
- Author: Alicia Victoria Lozano
- Published: 2026-09-24T18:57:24.281+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kyrsten sinema, matthew ammel, arizona, home invasion, property damage, bodyguard, senate staff, criminal charges, alienation of affection lawsuit, north carolina, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.