By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Maricopa County judge raised bond for Matthew Ammel, retired U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s former bodyguard and ex-lover, after he violated terms of his release, including possessing a weapon and threatening Sinema.
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During a court appearance on Monday, Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara Spencer set a $100,000 cash-only bond for Ammel, who is accused of breaking into Sinema’s Cave Creek home in late August and destroying over $200,000 worth of property.
Ammel was arrested on Sept. 18 for the alleged damage to Sinema’s home and released under the condition that he not have any contact with Sinema or possess any weapons.
But on Sept. 29, he was arrested again after investigators said he went to a firearm retailer in Phoenix with a large hunting-style knife to be engraved and tried to contact Sinema. Ammel is also accused of saying he would “take down” Sinema and allegedly threatened a judge and officers in a separate case in North Carolina. His bond was set at $25,000, but the state later filed a motion to have the bond raised.
In court Monday, the state claimed that Ammel reached out to a bail bondsman to contact Sinema to post bond for him. The state also pointed to alleged text threats Ammel made against North Carolina officials and Sinema that read “she needs to pay” and “I’m taking her down no matter what it takes.”
“I know it’s a high bond. It seems disproportionate to the offense charge, but a high cash-only bond is the only way to protect the victim and the community, and to ensure he complies with court orders,” a lawyer for the state argued.
Ammel’s lawyer pushed back on the cash bond as “excessive,” and said that Ammel is seeking mental treatment while in custody. She said she believed that the messages were sent before the offense date.
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He pleaded not guilty to the one count of criminal damage on Monday.
As part of his new release terms, Ammel would be on house arrest and under electronic monitoring if he posts bond.
Ammel’s trial in the case is set for Feb. 9, 2027.
Ammel reportedly removed 22 paintings from Sinema’s home and threw them into the backyard swimming pool, shattered alcohol bottles around the house and pool, and threw a glass bottle at a large mirror mounted on the wall.
Sinema, who left Congress in 2025, acknowledged having an affair with Ammel while she was in office and he was a member of her security team. She was sued by Ammel’s ex-wife in North Carolina following their separation over the reported romance.
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