Federal agents confronted former Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport and seized his cellphone and other electronics under a search warrant, multiple reports indicate.

The airport encounter was followed by additional court-approved searches. The next day, federal agents executed warrants at Swalwell’s Washington, D.C., residence and removed more potential evidence.

This federal criminal investigation centers on sexual-assault allegations against Swalwell, who has consistently denied the accusations. Swalwell has not been charged with a crime, and the execution of a search warrant does not establish guilt.

According to sources familiar with the matter, agents served Swalwell with a warrant after he arrived in California following a flight from Washington, where he maintains a residence. Swalwell, 45, was reportedly cooperative during the airport encounter.

Agents then conducted additional searches at Swalwell’s Northeast Washington home on Sunday, taking undisclosed items considered potential evidence in the case.

The federal investigation began in April after women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell. These allegations first emerged in 2019 and resurfaced in 2024. Swalwell resigned from Congress following his campaign for California governor and has apologized to his family, staff, and constituents for what he called “mistakes in judgment,” while insisting the most serious accusations were false.

The timing of the federal searches coincides with heightened scrutiny of Swalwell’s conduct. The warrants represent a significant escalation from preliminary interviews to the collection of digital evidence. However, the contents of seized devices, the evidence used to obtain the warrants, and any potential charging decisions remain undisclosed.