WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal authorities have arrested a 29-year-old man accused of using TikTok to solicit violence against former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, allegedly offering a cash reward for her death. The suspect, Tyler Maxon Avalos, was taken into custody on October 16 following an FBI investigation into what officials described as a “credible murder-for-hire plot” promoted on social media.
According to court documents, investigators were alerted earlier this month after Avalos allegedly posted a TikTok video featuring an image of Bondi with a red sniper-scope dot on her forehead. The caption reportedly read: “WANTED: Pam Bondi,” “REWARD: $45,000,” “DEAD OR ALIVE,” followed by (“PREFERABLY DEAD”). Beneath the image, Avalos allegedly included the cryptic message, “Cough cough. When they don’t serve us, then what?”
Authorities said Avalos, who went by the online alias “Wacko,” used an account filled with anarchist symbols and anti-government rhetoric. His TikTok bio reportedly linked to “An Anarchist FAQ,” a document often referenced in extremist forums. Agents began monitoring his digital activity after multiple users flagged the post to law enforcement, triggering an immediate federal response.
The FBI confirmed that Avalos was arrested without incident and is currently being held pending formal federal charges. Investigators also revealed that Avalos has a lengthy criminal record across several states. His past convictions include felony stalking in Dakota County, Minnesota (July 2022), felony third-degree domestic battery in Polk County, Florida (July 2022), and a misdemeanor domestic assault conviction from 2016 in Minnesota, which was reportedly reduced from a felony charge.
Prosecutors allege Avalos’s posts represented a serious and deliberate effort to incite violence against a public official. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is preparing charges that could include solicitation to commit murder, threats against a public official, and interstate transmission of threatening communications. Officials said that while no evidence currently suggests others were directly involved, investigators continue to analyze Avalos’s online interactions for any potential accomplices.
In a statement, an FBI spokesperson credited a concerned citizen for promptly reporting the video, preventing possible harm. “Public safety depends on vigilance,” the agency said. “We encourage anyone who encounters threats of violence online to report them immediately. Timely reporting can save lives.”