A MAGA Bully Targeted a West Hollywood Family, Leaving One Husband in Handcuffs

A right-wing social media provocateur and bully approached a West Hollywood couple who were holding their infant on Santa Monica Boulevard Thursday night, claimed to be from CNN, and peppered them with anti-gay slurs and junk science about child molestation. He walked away with a viral video. One husband spent the night in jail. The incident was first reported by WeHo Times.

WEHOonline conducted an in-depth interview with Anthony Vulin and David Miller-Robinson Saturday evening, following the incident. At the request of their attorney, direct quotes from that interview are being withheld, pending legal proceedings.

Anthony Vulin, a realtor and member of West Hollywood’s Business License Commission, was walking home on April 16 with his husband, David Miller-Robinson, when Ryley Niemi and three associates approached them near the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard. Three of the men had cameras. One wore a suit and carried a microphone. The men identified themselves as being from CNN. 

The Bait and Switch

If you watch the video, you see pretty quickly what was happening – and it wasn’t good. The couple confirmed to us Niemi approached them with a request for an interview, posing as a reporter with CNN. He deceptively opened with friendly questions, things like asking if the baby was theirs, if they were partners, and whether it was a boy or a girl. Then the tone shifted the moment he had what he needed – a fish on the hook. The MAGA bully then asked whether the couple were aware of claims that gay male parents are statistically more likely to be child molesters. It’s worth noting, there is no credible research to support the bogus, homophobic claim. He then asked whether they had paid a surrogate to have their child. Anthony asked him to stop recording, he wouldn’t. When Vulin tried to grab the microphone, Niemi shoved him back. He was still holding the baby.

The Corner and the Confrontation

A group of bystanders waiting at a nearby bus stop heard the exchange and began to catch on to what was happening. In an effort to protect the couple, the group began pushing Niemi’s crew down the block toward Palm Avenue. The couple told us they spotted a Security Ambassador nearby and asked for help. He did not intervene, though they acknowledged it was all happening so fast. Niemi’s group stopped on the corner and waited for the couple to walk past, only to start the harassment again, this time moving close to the baby and hurling slurs like faggot and calling the couple crazy. You can see from the video that at one point there was a physical altercation between David and Niemi. 

Walking Into the Station

Rather than go home, Vulin and Miller-Robinson went straight to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station to report what had happened. Deputies initially indicated the incident sounded like it could be a hate crime and asked them to wait in the lobby. Within minutes of David beginning to describe the confrontation to deputies, he was handcuffed and walked out of the building. Anthony sat in the lobby, alone with their infant son.

The Cop Car

David was placed in a patrol car outside while Niemi and his crew gave statements. The couple told WEHOonline Niemi’s group was released and allowed to leave before deputies offered to take David’s full statement. He was held for approximately twelve hours before being released.

David was booked on a misdemeanor and for felony vandalism. Booking records list the charge as vandalism with loss valued equal to or greater than $400, tied to an allegation that he damaged a camera belonging to Niemi’s crew during the confrontation. The couple disputes the charge and says video evidence shows the camera was not touched.

Anthony and David told WEHOonline they have retained legal counsel and will vigorously defend themselves. 

The Scam

Niemi posted video of the confrontation on Instagram through Off The Record USA, a Temecula-based operation he works with. It surpassed 100,000 views by Friday. His caption described the incident as an unprovoked attack, said the man who struck him could face felony charges, and claimed a $2,500 camera was destroyed. A GoFundMe organized by Off The Record USA is seeking $25,000 for equipment and security. As of Saturday night it had raised $790.

Bigger Than Us

Anthony and David spent the weekend home with their son. Attorney meetings are scheduled for Monday. A formal statement is expected early next week.

They told us that since the video was posted, the family has not felt safe in their own home. Anthony received a threatening phone call from someone who identified him as a child molester and referenced his real estate business. After their names first appeared in print, coordinated harassment hit their personal and business social media accounts within minutes. They are scared. And they are angry.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

The couple told WEHOonline they came forward because they believe what happened on April 16 is a warning. Niemi came to West Hollywood’s Rainbow District with cameras, a fake credential, and a plan. If it worked once, they said, he will be back.