The Justice Department claims that Ryan Wesley Routh, who is charged with planning to kill former President Donald Trump, revealed his deadly intentions in a letter he sent before his detention. The concerning message, which revealed Routh’s intentions to destroy Trump, was made public by federal prosecutors on Monday. In addition, the message preached to others to attempt the Republican nominee’s death.
Details of the Troubling Note and Evidence Found
Routh composed the letter months ago, according to the Justice Department, and left it in a box at the residence of an unidentified person. The DOJ claims that a metal pipe and ammo were also included in the box. After Routh was made public as a suspect in the Trump assassination attempt, the recipient—whose identity is still unknown—allegedly opened the package. Then the materials were turned over to the police.
In Routh’s car, officials also discovered a handwritten list with the dates and places of Trump’s scheduled appearances. Investigators found six cell phones in his car, one of which had a Google search relating to a trip from Palm Beach County to Mexico.
Arrest and Charges
A detention brief containing the information was released to the public before Routh’s court appearance. Judge Ryon M. McCabe will decide whether or not to hold Routh in custody until his arraignment next week. A few hundred yards from where Trump was playing golf in West Palm Beach, the Secret Service had previously discovered an AK-style rifle concealed in foliage.
Routh dropped the weapon, which had not been discharged, and fled in a nearby SUV when the Secret Service opened fire. Later, he was captured by Martin County deputies, who charged him with having a handgun in the custody of a felon and possessing a pistol whose serial number had been obliterated. There will likely be more charges as the investigation progresses.
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