SC man arrested at NC car wash for alleged threats to kill the president to face federal judge

APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- A South Carolina man who was arrested at a car wash in Apex last week is set to appear before a judge Monday on federal charges.

Daniel Swain was taken into custody on Wednesday, April 29 at the Tidal Wave Auto Spa on Lake Pine Drive in Apex. Investigators say someone at the business called 911 after they saw what appeared to be threatening words written on the windows of a car.

The Apex Police Department was the first law enforcement agency to respond and started the investigation. They notified the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The SBI's bomb squad unit also responded to conduct a search of the vehicle for explosive devices. This is standard procedure in cases involving threats, police said.

According to an affidavit obtained by ABC11, Swain refused to identify himself to Apex officers and they found markers on or near him that matched the one used to write the alleged threats on the vehicle.

Apex police charged Swain with resisting a public officer, possession of methamphetamine and having a fictitious license plate.

After his appearance on those charges, the USSS placed a detainer on him at the Wake County Detention Center on federal charges.

The USSS document filed in federal court says one of the messages reads "Headed to WSH to kill the Pres.

According to a federal arrest warrant obtained by ABC11, Swain allegedly told law enforcement his motivation was the perceived wrongful death of his father, uncle, and grandfather.

ABC11 also learned in the federal arrest warrant that the Secret Service previously interviewed Swain in January of 2025 and then again in April of 2025 - both times for threatening Facebook posts.

Information from the federal warrant

• Swain refused to identify himself when Apex PD arrived, they saw a white marker.

• Swain ID says he lives in Summerville, South Carolina and has a history of traveling between SC and NC in the past 30 days.

• Surveillance video shows the driver's side and rearview were written before the car wash. The suspect added the messages to the passenger's side after the car wash.

• K-9 indicated a "possible item of interest."

• During a search of the vehicle, they found a drone, two containers of suspected methamphetamine.

• He says he planned to drive to RTP for job opportunities and take pictures of tech companies with his drone.

• License plate not associated with this vehicle, VIN had negative results, license plate not registered since 2020.

• Swain resisted arrest, says he almost fled on foot when officers approached him.

• Swain told Secret Service and FBI that he went to Washington DC in the winter of 2025 and 2026 to "take action." He later clarified he was only going to legally protest. He visited the White House, Capitol and monuments. He told agents he didn't do what he planned.

• Swain was previously interviewed by the Secret Service on Jan. 1, 2025, for making a threatening Facebook post.

• Additionally, on April 19, 2026, he posted another threatening message about Trump.

During his arraignment on Thursday, April 30, on local charges in Wake County, Swain told the judge he was an unemployed Army veteran.

"I'm unemployed. I'm a United States Army veteran, third generation, and this is a little ridiculous," Swain said.

Swain has crossed paths with law enforcement in the past. In 2024, he was arrested and charged with "obstructing governmental operations."

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Apex police said their investigation is complete and was forwarded to the Wake County District Attorney's Office. The U.S. Secret Service is in charge of the federal investigation.

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