WASHINGTON (Diya TV ) — Matthew Ammel, a former bodyguard and romantic partner of former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, was arrested in Arizona after authorities accused him of breaking into her home and damaging artwork and alcohol worth about $200,000.
The incident happened Aug. 30 while Sinema was out of town, according to court documents. Ammel, 39, allegedly contacted Sinema during the incident and demanded that she post a video on her X account.
According to a probable cause statement, Ammel threatened to damage a painting every 10 minutes if Sinema refused his demand. Sinema told police that she did not comply.
Authorities say Ammel then removed about 22 paintings from the home and threw them into the swimming pool. One painting had black spray-painted lettering and sat near the home’s front entrance, according to Sinema’s account to investigators.
Police also found broken alcohol bottles inside the home and in the pool. The broken glass added to the damage at the property, according to the charging documents.
Ammel later faced a felony charge of aggravated criminal damage. Authorities arrested him Sept. 17 after he left a mental health facility, according to the probable cause statement. The document does not explain when he entered the facility or why he received treatment.
Ammel has since been released on his own recognizance. He must appear in court in early October. Court records did not immediately show whether he had hired an attorney.
The Arizona case comes as Sinema and Ammel face another legal dispute in North Carolina.
Earlier this month, a federal judge allowed a lawsuit against Sinema to continue under the state’s alienation-of-affection law. The case involves Sinema’s relationship with Ammel while he was married.
North Carolina remains one of a small number of states that allow spouses to sue a third party for allegedly contributing to the end of a marriage. The law can allow a spouse to seek financial damages.
Sinema acknowledged the affair but argued that North Carolina courts lacked jurisdiction over her. U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected that argument.
The judge cited nine text messages that Sinema sent to Ammel while he was in North Carolina. Bragdon ruled that the lawsuit could move forward.
Ammel’s former wife filed the lawsuit. She seeks financial compensation from Sinema. Her complaint says she and Ammel had a loving marriage before Sinema pursued a relationship with him.
Sinema’s legal dispute with Ammel’s former wife has drawn attention because of the unusual state law. North Carolina gives people up to three years to bring an alienation-of-affection claim. The legal action remains separate from a divorce case.
The case also follows another high-profile lawsuit involving the same law. In 2025, a North Carolina judge ordered influencer Brenay Kennard to pay $1.75 million in a case involving the breakup of a marriage, according to WRAL.
Meanwhile, Ammel’s connection to Sinema goes beyond their personal relationship.
Ammel joined Sinema’s security team after retiring from the Army in 2022. Court records say he traveled with her on domestic and international trips for several years.
He later received a position as a national security fellow in Sinema’s Senate office. At the same time, he continued working as her bodyguard.
Sinema left the Senate after her term ended in January 2025. She had represented Arizona as a Democrat before becoming an independent.
The Arizona criminal case and the North Carolina civil lawsuit remain separate legal matters. The allegations against Ammel have not been proven in court. Likewise, the North Carolina lawsuit remains unresolved.
Both cases now place renewed attention on Sinema’s past relationship with Ammel and the legal disputes that followed it.
