Man tries to pull gun from officer at Trump rally

(CNN) — Police arrested a 19-year-old man Saturday inside a Las Vegas theater where presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was holding a campaign rally after the man attempted to pull a police officer’s gun from its holster during the event.

Police said Michael Sandford struck up a conversation with a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer under the pretenses that he was seeking to get an autograph. During the conversation, police said Sandford tried to pull the officer’s service weapon from its holster. Other officers also assigned to provide security at the event were quickly able to detain Sandford and authorities said there was no further disruption to the event.

Trump is under U.S. Secret Service protection but local law enforcement often supplements them at campaign events.

It’s not clear what Sandford’s intentions were or whether he was attempting to harm Trump. The Secret Service says it has charged Sandford with violating two federal laws following the incident, including assault, and he could face up to a decade in prison if convicted.

Many of Trump’s rallies throughout the campaign have been contentious, with protests both inside and outside the events. Secret Service agents had to run to Trump’s side during a campaign rally earlier this year in Ohio to protect him against a man attempting to rush the stage during his remarks.

Sandford is still in custody as he awaits a court appearance. The Secret Service says other charges are still pending and the incident remains under investigation.CNN’s Noah Gray and Kristen Holmes contributed to this report.