The suspect in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, appeared in court on Monday to face charges related to the incident. Routh was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. These charges carry a combined maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 total fine.
Routh’s court appearance took place in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he appeared before magistrate Judge Ryon McCabe. Despite the serious nature of the charges against him, Routh seemed unbothered and nonchalant as he sat with a public defender, according to NBC News. He is scheduled to return to court for a bond hearing on Monday, Sept. 23.
The arrest of Routh occurred after U.S. Secret Service agents opened fire near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while the former President was playing a round. A member of Trump’s security detail spotted a rifle in the tree line surrounding the course and fired shots in its direction. Routh then fled the area and escaped in a Nissan SUV. Upon investigation, agents found a loaded rifle with an obliterated serial number, a digital camera, two bags, and food in the area where Routh had been.
During the arrest, officers from two local sheriff’s offices stopped Routh’s car on Interstate 95. Routh indicated that he knew why he was being stopped, and records from his cellphone placed him near the tree line area from early Sunday morning until the time of the incident. Additionally, Routh has a history of previous felony convictions, including possession of a machine gun in 2002 and possessing stolen goods in 2010.
The FBI is continuing to investigate the incident as an attempted assassination on Trump. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed gratitude that the former President was safe and vowed to bring accountability to the situation. President Joe Biden also spoke with Trump to convey relief that he was unharmed. The incident marked the second attempted assassination on Trump in two months, following a prior incident at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
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Details of the Charges
Routh faced charges for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Court Appearance and Response
During his court appearance, Routh appeared calm and unbothered by the charges against him. He is scheduled to return for a bond hearing on Sept. 23. Investigation and Response
The FBI is investigating the incident as an attempted assassination on Trump. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed gratitude for Trump’s safety and vowed to bring accountability to the situation. President Joe Biden also spoke with Trump to convey relief that he was unharmed.
During his court appearance, Routh appeared calm and unbothered by the charges against him. He is scheduled to return for a bond hearing on Sept. 23.