Tempe Police Department officers have arrested Tempe Union High School teacher Daniel Ashpes for multiple counts of online threats made toward Donald Trump Jr., and Charlie Kirk who were in Tempe for a political rally last week.
According to the Tempe Police Department (TPD), the 24-year-old Ashpes was taken into custody by Tempe police on Thursday, after detectives were notified of threatening messages sent in response to an automated mass-messaging system asking for an RSVP to the Turning Point rally at a Tempe hotel.
TPD’s Threat Mitigation Unit launched an immediate investigation and developed probable cause for Ashpes’ arrest that same day. In an interview with detectives, Ashpes admitted to sending the messages.
Ashpes was arrested at his residence around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and booked into the Tempe City Jail on the following misdemeanor charges:
- 3 counts of Threatening to Cause Physical Injury to Another Person
- 1 count of Using a Phone to Threaten or Intimidate
The Tempe Union High School District released the following statement:
Mr. Daniel Ashpes is a Tempe Union High School District employee. He has been placed on administrative leave as authorities investigate the situation at hand. While we cannot comment on the specifics of the situation, we are aware that Tempe PD has filed charges related to alleged online threats. TUHSD does not tolerate or condone any form of threats or harassment made by employees or students.
There have been two assassination attempts against President Donald Trump this year.
