Secret Service places detainer on SC man accused of threatening message toward the President
APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- The day after a man was arrested at a car wash in Apex, ABC11 has learned what the message said and that the Secret Service has placed a detainer on him in Wake County Detention Center.
This all went down on Tuesday afternoon, when Apex police arrested Daniel Swain, 40, after officers said he made threats toward President Donald Trump. Police responded around 2:30 p.m. to the Tidal Wave Auto Spa on Lake Pine Drive after a concerned person reported a suspicious vehicle, according to the Apex Police Department.
Officers found a man who police said was making threats directed toward Trump. Investigators also observed threatening messages written on the outside of the man's car. Preliminary information indicated the suspect was traveling from South Carolina toward Washington, D.C., authorities said.
Who is Daniel Swain?
Police identified the man as Daniel Swain. The United States Secret Service was notified and responded to assist with the investigation.
Someone who was at the car wash yesterday is now telling the ABC11 I-team what he saw on the suspect's window, prompting that large police response. The I-team is learning that Swain washed his car, even vacuumed it, and then wrote a threatening message on the passenger side window.
The message reads "headed to WSH to kill the Pres."
Law enforcement swarmed the Tidal Wave Auto Spa after someone who was concerned about the message called authorities.
As a precaution, officers conducted a search of the vehicle for explosive devices, a standard procedure in cases involving threats, police said. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted during the response.
Swain was taken to the Wake County Detention Center, where he was charged with resisting a public officer, possession of methamphetamine and having a fictitious license plate, according to police. No federal charges were announced.
He is facing local charges in Wake County and addressed the judge at his arraignment.
"I'm unemployed. I'm a United States Army veteran, third generation, and this is a little ridiculous," said Swain.
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.
Swain does have a criminal history. In 2024, he was arrested and charged with "obstructing governmental operations."
"When it comes to any type of political violence, that's unacceptable, and anything that really addresses public safety, and there is a threat on public safety, we have to respond to these types of calls and take it seriously," Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert said.
We 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.
Apex Police say the preliminary investigation finds Swain was traveling from South Carolina up to our nation's capital.
"I'm very proud of the officers and the response," said Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert. "When it comes to any type of political violence, that's unacceptable."
Jamin Wattson manages a pizzeria across the street from where Swain was taken into custody.
"It was kind of alarming to say the least," he said. "It's very crazy because this is a pretty quiet town."
ABC11 has reached out to Tidal Wave for comment on the incident, but we have not heard back.
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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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