Ramon Morales-Reyes was wrongly accused of threatening Trump; Demetric Deshawn Scott admits to writing letters to intimidate him

A 54-year-old undocumented immigrant, Ramon Morales-Reyes, arrested for allegedly sending letters threatening to assassinate US President Donald Trump, was framed, investigators have revealed. New court documents say the letters were actually written by Demetric Deshawn Scott, who faces multiple felony charges, including armed robbery and assault linked to Mr Morales-Reyes.

Morales-Reyes was taken into custody last week after authorities accused him of sending handwritten letters threatening to shoot Trump at a rally before fleeing to Mexico. Copies of the letters were sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Wisconsin attorney general, and Milwaukee’s police chief. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicised Morales-Reyes’s arrest, with Secretary Kristi Noem posting his image and the threatening letter on social media, branding him as a dangerous “illegal alien.”

However, new evidence surfaced showing Morales-Reyes’s handwriting markedly differs from the threatening letters, and he does not speak fluent English. Court filings now reveal that Demetric Deshawn Scott, who is charged with assaulting and robbing Morales-Reyes, admitted to writing the letters himself. Scott’s motive, investigators say, was to intimidate Morales-Reyes to prevent him from testifying against him in a robbery trial scheduled for July.

Scott has been charged with witness intimidation, identity theft, and breach of bail. Police interviewed him in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, where he confessed: “When asked what was going through his head at the time of writing the letters, the defendant stated ‘Freedom.’” The court filing says Scott insisted his intention was not to threaten Trump but to ensure Morales-Reyes did not testify.

Morales-Reyes, interviewed after his arrest on May 22, expressed suspicion that Scott was trying to “get him in trouble,” following accusations of robbery against Scott. His lawyer, Cain Oulahan, welcomed the revelation that the true author had been identified, saying the client and his family were “relieved” but traumatised by the ordeal.

Oulahan also urged the Department of Homeland Security to publicly acknowledge the mistake and call for an end to threats against Morales-Reyes and his family. Morales-Reyes remains in custody due to his undocumented status and previous criminal record but is set for a deportation hearing this Wednesday in Chicago Immigration Court.

Morales-Reyes had applied for a U visa in March — a visa type reserved for victims of crimes who assist law enforcement. However, with a significant backlog causing approval delays of 7-8 years, his legal team is exploring alternative routes to keep him in the US.

Scott’s criminal charges go beyond the intimidation case. He faces trial in July for an armed robbery and aggravated battery involving Morales-Reyes. Local media reports describe a disturbing incident captured on doorbell camera footage, showing Scott allegedly assaulting Morales-Reyes with a corkscrew during an attempted bicycle theft.

The case has sparked questions about premature public accusations and the risks of misidentifying suspects, especially vulnerable immigrants. The DHS’s initial publicisation of Morales-Reyes’s arrest, including social media posts branding him as a threat, is now under scrutiny.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on whether the administration would retract or correct Noem’s social media posts, deferring questions to Homeland Security. Meanwhile, Noem’s post remains online.

The incident underscores the complex challenges faced by immigrant communities entangled in the US criminal justice system, highlighting the need for careful investigation before public declarations. Morales-Reyes and his family hope to move on from the ordeal and focus on securing his legal status and safety.

As Scott faces trial on multiple felony charges, the case serves as a stark reminder of how allegations and misinformation can cause profound personal harm, especially to those already vulnerable.