A 22-year-old California man, Marco Antonio Aguayo, has been federally charged after allegedly posting threats on Disney's Instagram the day Vice President J.D. Vance visited Disneyland. Prosecutors say Aguayo claimed to have placed pipe bombs and warned of 'bloodshed,' then later admitted posting the comments and surrendered his devices. He was arrested Jan. 16 and faces a federal charge for threats against the president and successors, carrying up to five years in prison; an initial court appearance is set for Jan. 20. Federal officials praised law enforcement and warned that anonymous online threats will be pursued.
Man Charged After Allegedly Threatening 'Bloodshed' at Disneyland, Claimed He Planted Bombs Ahead of VP J.D. Vance Visit
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty; AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesVice President JD Vance; stock image Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif
A 22-year-old California resident, Marco Antonio Aguayo, has been federally charged after allegedly posting violent threats on Disney's official Instagram the same day Vice President J.D. Vance and his family visited the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim last summer, according to a criminal complaint and statements from federal prosecutors.
Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via GettyVice President JD Vance in January 2026
Details of the Allegations
Prosecutors say Aguayo left multiple comments on Disney posts on July 12, the day Vance, 41, stayed at the resort. At about 6:14 p.m. local time, the complaint alleges he wrote, 'Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vance’s arrival.' Investigators quote two additional alleged comments: 'It’s time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it,' and 'Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians.'
Gary Hershorn/GettyStock image of a ride at Disneyland
Investigation and Arrest
Federal agents traced the threatening comments to an Instagram account that no longer used the same username. Police located and interviewed Aguayo just before 11 p.m. on the same day. He initially denied making the posts and said his account had been hacked, but later admitted to posting the comments and claimed they were a joke, according to the complaint. Aguayo surrendered his phone and computer to authorities.
Charges and Next Steps
Aguayo was arrested on Jan. 16 and has been charged in federal court with threats against the president and successors to the presidency, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in federal prison if convicted. The Anaheim resident is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Jan. 20. It was not immediately clear whether he has retained legal counsel.
Officials' Statements
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was grateful the vice president and his family were able to spend time at Disneyland safely and called the case 'a horrific reminder of the dangers public officials face from deranged criminals who would do them harm.' She praised the police work that led to the arrest and vowed prosecutors would pursue swift justice.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli warned that federal prosecutors will not tolerate criminal threats against public officials, saying, 'Let this case be a warning to anyone who thinks they can make anonymous online threats. We will find you and bring you to justice.'
The initial report on the threats was published by KTLA and was reviewed by People magazine; the criminal complaint and a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California provided additional details.
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