Ex-Senator Sinema's Former Bodyguard Charged with $200K Property Damage in Cave Creek

Key points

• Matthew Ammel was arrested on September 17, 2026, in Maricopa County, Arizona, after being released from a mental health facility.
• Ammel faces a felony charge of aggravated criminal damage for an incident that occurred on August 30, 2026.
• Sinema reported that Ammel demanded she post a video to her X account, threatening to destroy a painting every 10 minutes if she refused.
• Ammel allegedly threw 22 paintings into the swimming pool, spray-painted one, and shattered a mirror and alcohol bottles.
• The total damage is estimated at over $200,000, with the paintings alone valued at $123,015.
• Ammel is currently out on his own recognizance wearing an electronic monitoring device, with a preliminary hearing set for October 5, 2026.

Background

In August 2026, Sinema testified in a deposition regarding a months-long affair with Ammel, who was married at the time. The relationship began in May 2024 and included encounters in Napa, New York, Washington D.C., and Arizona. Ammel's ex-wife, Heather Ammel, filed a lawsuit in North Carolina under the state's 'homewrecker' law, seeking damages for the breakdown of their marriage. A federal judge in North Carolina ruled in September 2026 that the case could proceed, citing text messages sent by Sinema while Ammel was in the state. Sinema, who left Congress after the 2024 election, now works for the law firm Hogan Lovells.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and KTAR News 92.3 FM both report the core facts of the arrest and the $200,000 damage estimate, but KTAR specifies the paintings' value at $123,015. WRAL emphasizes the connection to the North Carolina 'homewrecker' lawsuit, noting that Sinema has requested a jury trial. AZ Family provides additional context on Sinema's security upgrades, noting a construction crew building a wall around her property, and details Ammel's combative behavior during his first court appearance. All outlets agree on the timeline of the incident (August 30) and the arrest (September 17), but differ in emphasis: NBC focuses on the criminal charge, WRAL on the civil litigation, and AZ Family on the physical security response.

Why it matters

The case highlights the intersection of personal conduct and legal consequences for public figures, as Sinema faces both criminal charges against her former bodyguard and a civil lawsuit from his ex-wife. The 'homewrecker' lawsuit in North Carolina tests the limits of jurisdiction for out-of-state relationships, while the criminal damage case raises questions about security and mental health in the aftermath of a high-profile affair.

What to watch

Ammel is due to appear in court in early October 2026 for a preliminary hearing. The North Carolina civil lawsuit has a pretrial conference set for October 22, 2026. Sinema's team has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the arrest.