Wisconsin Man Charged in Alleged Threat to President Trump
Accusations of Forgery and Witness Intimidation
A man from Wisconsin, Demetric D. Scott, is facing serious charges after being accused of forging a threatening letter aimed at President Trump. Prosecutors allege that Scott’s motivations stemmed from a desire to intimidate a potential witness against him in an ongoing criminal case.
The allegations emerged from a criminal complaint filed on Monday, detailing how Scott allegedly sent a letter to both state and federal officials under the name and return address of Ramón Morales Reyes. The letter claimed that Reyes threatened the President’s life in order to facilitate the latter’s deportation, thereby preventing him from testifying against Scott.
Charges Filed
Scott has been charged with felony witness intimidation, identity theft, and two counts of bail jumping. As of now, he remains in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail, where he is awaiting trial for separate charges related to armed robbery and aggravated battery, set for July.
Scott’s attorney, Robert Hampton III, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the charges.
A Twisted Narrative
The situation took a dramatic turn when Homeland Security officials detained 54-year-old Ramón Morales Reyes on May 21 after he dropped his child off at school. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem publicly announced the arrest, asserting that Reyes had authored a threatening letter addressed to Trump and would "self-deport" to Mexico. The announcement even included an image of the purported letter and a photo of Reyes.
Investigation revealed discrepancies as officials interviewed Reyes, whose limited English proficiency became evident. Handwriting analysis further demonstrated that the letters did not match Reyes’s writing style, leading authorities to question the authenticity of the threat.
The Victim’s Background
Morales Reyes, who works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee, lives with his wife and three children. He had recently applied for a U visa aimed at individuals in the country illegally who become victims of serious crimes. Kime Abduli, his attorney, expressed relief that Morales Reyes is being cleared of involvement in the letter-writing incident.
“I’m glad to see that he’s being absolved of any wrongdoing,” said Abduli.
Reyes’s deportation defense attorney, Cain Oulahan, articulated that the immediate aim is to secure his release from custody. He noted that while Reyes’s U visa application is pending, the process is currently backlogged and could take years. The team is exploring other options to ensure Reyes remains in the U.S. with his family.
Conclusion
As the investigation unfolds, the case shines a light on the complex intersection of immigration and the legal system in the U.S. With both Scott’s charges and Morales Reyes’s deportation hanging in the balance, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences that can arise from criminal actions. The Milwaukee County judicial system is expected to address these matters in the upcoming months, with significant implications for all involved.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.