An Arizona manhunt was underway Thursday for a sex offender who allegedly threatened to kill former President Donald Trump, heightening security measures across Sierra Vista.

Authorities were urgently searching for Ronald Lee Syvrud after he made threats on social media against Donald Trump during the latter's border visit plans.

Syvrud, aged 66, was identified by the Cochise County Sheriff's Office as the suspect behind the threats. Described as a white male with light-colored eyes, white hair, and a mustache, Syvrud's threats were made public as Trump scheduled a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday.

With a height of six feet and a weight of approximately 220 pounds, Syvrud is no stranger to law enforcement. His last known address was registered in Benson, Arizona. He is currently wanted on multiple charges, including DUI and failing to appear in court.

In addition to his local offenses, Syvrud has open warrants in Wisconsin and Graham County, Arizona, for a hit-and-run incident and failing to register as a sex offender, respectively.

Security Tightens Around Border Event Site

Following the threats, security protocols were significantly ramped up around the border area in Sierra Vista, where the Trump event was to take place. This open nature of the venue prompted authorities to be extra vigilant in light of recent events.

This is not the first threat faced by the former president; just six weeks prior, Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

That incident left him injured, killed one, and seriously wounded several others.

Sierra Vista became a focal point of heightened security due to both the imminent threat and the previous incidents involving high-profile figures.

Sheriff's Office Leads Manhunt for Syvrud

The Cochise County Sheriff, Mark J. Dannels, was vocal about the intensity of the search for Syvrud.

The sheriff's office issued a press release alerting the public and requesting assistance in locating the suspect.

"We have zero tolerance for any kind of threats or intents of violence, so we’ll find him. He’ll go to jail. He’s a registered sex offender here in Cochise County, and we were looking for him. He’s out of compliance as part of his violations. So we’re looking for him on that," stated Sheriff Dannels.

Sheriff Dannels also expressed the urgency of the arrest, linking it directly to the upcoming presidential event, "We’re going to arrest him on that. But also the fact his pulse was directed toward this event. So we want to talk to him about that."

Background of the Suspect Under Scrutiny

According to law enforcement, Syvrud has a history of criminal activity that includes a conviction for second-degree sexual assault of a child in 2000.

His failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements has compounded his legal troubles.

Authorities have been disseminating his 2023 mugshot in hopes that public assistance can lead to his capture.

Reports indicate that Syvrud was previously registered as a Democrat, although the relevance of his political affiliation to this case is unclear.

The investigation into Syvrud's whereabouts came as law enforcement agencies coordinate across state lines to apprehend the suspect before the planned event, and in the end, their efforts were successful, and he was taken into custody before day's end.