A man originally from Mexico is undergoing deportation proceedings, despite investigators saying that a letter threatening Trump’s life ostensibly sent by him was in fact a set-up by someone looking to keep him from testifying in another trial. Ramon Morales Reyes, 54, an immigrant living in the U.S. illegally, is currently being held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
The Department of Homeland Security said that even though Reyes is no longer a suspect in the case, he is still undergoing removal proceedings.
“This criminal illegal alien is no longer under investigation for threats against the president, but will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings as he is in the country illegally with previous arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier,” a senior DHS official told Straight Arrow News.
Why was Reyes detained in the first place?
ICE detained Reyes after handwritten letters threatening President Donald Trump’s life were delivered to ICE officers on May 21. The letters, photos of which were posted by DHS, said in part;
“We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans – we have done more for this country than you white people – you have been deporting my family and I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him. I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in his head – I will see him at one of his big ralleys [sic].”
Investigators: Reyes was framed
The letters were written from Reyes’ perspective; however, investigators now say Reyes didn’t write the letters. A Wisconsin man named Demetric Scott allegedly wrote the letters, forging them from Reyes’ point of view in an effort to get Reyes deported.
Investigators say Scott framed Reyes to prevent him from testifying in an upcoming assault trial scheduled for July, according to The Associated Press.
Scott allegedly stabbed and robbed Reyes in 2023, CBS News reported. Meanwhile, NBC News reported that Scott was charged on June 2 with felony witness intimidation, identity theft and two counts of bail jumping. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 10.
Reyes remains in custody despite exoneration in threat case
Reyes is currently in custody at a county jail in Wisconsin and appeared before a Chicago immigration judge virtually on Wednesday, June 4. The judge postponed the bond hearing until June 10, stating that additional time was needed to review evidence submitted by Reyes’ attorney pertaining to the letter in question.
