An undocumented immigrant facing deportation after being falsely accused of writing letters threatening President Donald Trump has been granted bond by a judge. Ramón Morales Reyes, 54, was arrested on May 22 for allegedly sending handwritten letters to federal and Wisconsin officials, threatening Trump’s life, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
However, an investigation revealed that Morales Reyes was not the author of those letters. Court documents indicate that Demetric D. Scott, 52, wrote the letters in an attempt to frame Morales Reyes due to his potential as a witness in a robbery case against Scott. After questioning, Scott confessed to the crime.
Following Scott’s admission, he was charged in Milwaukee with felony witness intimidation, identity theft, and two counts of bail jumping.
A bond hearing initially scheduled for June 4 was postponed due to the emergence of Scott’s confession. During a recent bond hearing at a Chicago immigration court, Judge Carla Espinoza established Morales Reyes’ bond at $7,500, following a review of the evidence concerning the threatening letters.
Although Morales Reyes has a history of several arrests dating back to 1996, he has only been convicted of disorderly conduct. Upon his detention by ICE, the DHS classified him as an “illegal alien.” A senior DHS official previously informed NBC News that Morales Reyes will remain in custody because he is illegally in the country and has a prior criminal record, which includes multiple illegal entries into the U.S. between 1998 and 2005.
Morales Reyes has three children who are U.S. citizens and has lived in the country for nearly 40 years, as noted by his attorney, Cain Oulahan, who has been contacted by NBC News for additional comments regarding the bond hearing.
Should Morales Reyes post bond, he will be notified of a new hearing date; otherwise, his next court appearance is scheduled for July 10.