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Chicago Tribune
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
An immigrant in Wisconsin has been released on bond after false accusation he threatened Trump
MADISON, Wis. — A man who was falsely accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and threatened with deportation to Mexico was released Thursday from a Wisconsin jail on bond, three weeks after federal immigration agents arrested him. Ramón Morales Reyes, 54, was accused of a writing a letter threatening Trump in a social media post by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that got widespread national coverage. The post includes Morales Reyes' photo and an excerpt from the letter he purportedly wrote in English. But the claims quickly fell apart as Wisconsin authorities determined that Reyes, who doesn't speak English well or write in the language, was framed. Morales Reyes was a victim in a violent 2023 attack where his bike was stolen. According to authorities, the alleged attacker, Demetric D. Scott, forged the letter to try to clear his case. Morales Reyes was set to be a witness in Scott's July trial for armed robbery and aggravated battery. Morales Reyes was released in the afternoon after paying the $7,500 bond that an immigration judge set on Tuesday. Speaking to WISN-TV, Morales Reyes said he and his lawyer will fight his deportation. 'I believe (the lawyer) knows the history and all of you know what happened,' he said. He was later met by relatives and members of the Milwaukee-based immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, which has helped work on his case. Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the organization's executive director, said Morales Reyes was 'relieved' and 'very grateful for all of the support he's received.' Judge Carla Espinoza said at the immigration court hearing in Chicago that Morales Reyes was not a threat to the community. Morales Reyes, a married father of three U.S. citizen children, works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee. He was arrested by immigration agents last month after dropping a child off at school. He immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s and doesn't have legal permission to be in the U.S. This year, he applied for a U visa, which is for people in the country illegally who are victims of serious crimes. Getting such a visa can take years. Homeland Security issued a statement to reporters last week saying that although Morales Reyes was no longer considered a threat to Trump, federal attorneys would still pursue an immigration case. The government alleges that Morales Reyes reentered the U.S. numerous times without a visa. Morales Reyes had been held in the Dodge Detention Center in Juneau, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of Milwaukee. He was released after the federal government did not appeal the setting of his bond. Noem's social media post blaming Morales Reyes for an assassination attempt, which was circulated by Trump supporters, remains online.
13-06-2025
- Politics
An immigrant in Wisconsin has been released on bond after false accusation he threatened Trump
MADISON, Wis. -- A man who was falsely accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and threatened with deportation to Mexico was released Thursday from a Wisconsin jail on bond, three weeks after federal immigration agents arrested him. Ramón Morales Reyes, 54, was accused of a writing a letter threatening Trump in a social media post by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that got widespread national coverage. The post includes Morales Reyes' photo and an excerpt from the letter he purportedly wrote in English. But the claims quickly fell apart as Wisconsin authorities determined that Reyes, who doesn't speak English well or write in the language, was framed. Morales Reyes was a victim in a violent 2023 attack where his bike was stolen. According to authorities, the alleged attacker, Demetric D. Scott, forged the letter to try to clear his case. Morales Reyes was set to be a witness in Scott's July trial for armed robbery and aggravated battery. Morales Reyes was released in the afternoon after paying the $7,500 bond that an immigration judge set on Tuesday. Speaking to WISN-TV, Morales Reyes said he and his lawyer will fight his deportation. 'I believe (the lawyer) knows the history and all of you know what happened," he said. He was later met by relatives and members of the Milwaukee-based immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, which has helped work on his case. Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the organization's executive director, said Morales Reyes was 'relieved' and 'very grateful for all of the support he's received.' Judge Carla Espinoza said at the immigration court hearing in Chicago that Morales Reyes was not a threat to the community. Morales Reyes, a married father of three U.S. citizen children, works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee. He was arrested by immigration agents last month after dropping a child off at school. He immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s and doesn't have legal permission to be in the U.S. This year, he applied for a U visa, which is for people in the country illegally who are victims of serious crimes. Getting such a visa can take years. Homeland Security issued a statement to reporters last week saying that although Morales Reyes was no longer considered a threat to Trump, federal attorneys would still pursue an immigration case. The government alleges that Morales Reyes reentered the U.S. numerous times without a visa. Morales Reyes had been held in the Dodge Detention Center in Juneau, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of Milwaukee. He was released after the federal government did not appeal the setting of his bond. Noem's social media post blaming Morales Reyes for an assassination attempt, which was circulated by Trump supporters, remains online.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ramón Morales Reyes, framed for writing assassination letter, is released on bond
Christine Neumann-Ortiz (left) stands with Anna Morales, daughter of Ramon Morales Reyes'. (Photo courtesy of Voces de la Frontera) Ramón Morales Reyes, a 54-year-old Mexican-born man living in Milwaukee who was framed for writing a letter threatening President Donald Trump, has been granted a $7,500 bond by an immigration judge. The news came early Tuesday morning, as immigrant rights advocates from Voces de la Frontera held a press conference to call on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to clear Morales Reyes' name, and issue a retraction of a press release denouncing him for threatening the president's life. Morales Reyes' daughter Anna joined Voces executive director Christine Neumann-Ortiz on the press call and became emotional at the news of her father's release. 'I'm so very grateful, thank you so much,' said Anna, who spoke during the virtual press conference but did not appear on camera. Since DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a press statement describing Morales Reyes as an 'illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump,' his family has received online harassment and death threats. 'I've always been my dad's little girl who grew up with a hardworking dad that always was making sure his family has food on the table, having a roof over our heads,' said Anna Morales. 'He loved to take us to the park every weekend and go for walks as a family.' She recalled cookouts with her dad, who worked as a dishwasher in Milwaukee for the last nine years. Morales lamented that her father is now facing the threat of deportation based on false accusations. 'He is not a criminal. He is a hardworking man, a provider, and most importantly a father who holds family together,' she said. 'Without my dad, me and my siblings wouldn't be where we are today — his sacrifice and his drive to give us a better life.' 'If he were taken from us, it wouldn't just be a financial loss, it would be an emotional one that we honestly don't know how to recover from,' she added. 'My siblings and I rely on him not just for the roof over our heads or food on the table, but for his presence, his advice, and the way he keeps our family united.' 'My dad is not a threat to anyone. He is a good man who got caught up in a terrible situation.' Despite the decision to release Morales Reyes, after the real author of the letter threatening Trump confessed that he had tried to frame Morales Reyes to prevent him from testifying against him in a criminal trial, the Department of Homeland Security has not removed a press release from its website accusing Morales Reyes of being the author of the letter. In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded to Morales Reyes' release on bond, saying, 'while this criminal illegal alien is no longer under investigation for threats against the President, he is in the country illegally with previous arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct with domestic abuse. The Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law and fulfilling the President's mandate to deport illegal aliens. DHS will continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of illegal aliens who have no right to be in this country.' In 1996, Morales Reyes was arrested for a hit and run and property damage, but was not charged. In another 1996 incident he was ticketed for disorderly conduct and criminal damage after a dispute with his wife in which no one was injured, NPR reported. 'It's a disgrace that we have a government that is promoting false information of a very serious nature against a man who is a victim of a crime, and has been falsely accused,' Neumann-Ortiz told Wisconsin Examiner. Morales Reyes' family does not feel safe, Neumann-Ortiz said. 'This just shows that this administration is not interested in safety. They're interested in this propaganda campaign to demonize immigrants, and to do with them whatever they will, to accuse them of anything and put them in jail and throw away the key.' Just before the bond hearing, attorney Cane Oulahan, who represented Morales Reyes during immigration proceedings, said that he was hoping for a 'just result, which would be for Ramón to get out on a fair bond and rejoin his family, so they can start to heal from all the trauma they've been through.' Oulahan thanked Anna Morales for her bravery in coming forward with a statement Tuesday morning. The attorney said that factors which the judge would consider, including danger to the community and flight risk, were low for Morales Reyes. 'I think it's clear that Ramón is not a dangerous person at all,' said Oulahan. 'It's been over 30 years since he's had any minor incidents, he's a responsible husband and father, hard worker, someone who contributes to our community.' Oulahan said that Morales Reyes had no reason to be considered a flight risk. 'He's got every interest in staying here,' said Oulahan. 'I mean, he's been here almost 40 years. He has family here, this is his home, and he's actively cooperating in a U-Visa investigation still, and so he has every reason to show up for his hearings.' A U-Visa is a form of immigration relief intended to encourage crime victims to cooperate with law enforcement investigations and court proceedings, while also providing a path to permanent residency. Neumann-Ortiz said in a statement that the bond decision was 'a meaningful victory not only for Ramón and his family but for our entire community.' The decision she added, 'reflects the courage and strength of community organizing, solidarity, and collective action. We thank all who stood with Ramón, and we urge continued support as the process ahead remains long and challenging. We also continue to demand that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fully clear Ramón's name and correct the false allegations against him.' Morales Reyes was the victim of an attempted armed robbery in September 2023. The man accused of the attempted robbery, Demetric Scott, told investigators that he penned a letter claiming to be Morales Reyes and threatening to use a large caliber rifle to assassinate Trump. Scott believed that the letter would result in Morales Reyes' deportation, and prevent him from testifying against Scott in court. Morales Reyes was born in a rural part of Mexico where he received very little formal education. He cannot speak English, and cannot read or write proficiently. The letter penned by Scott and later elevated by Noem's press release was neatly written in fluent English. CNN reported that after he was arrested by immigration agents, Morales Reyes was questioned by detectives from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), who had already suspected that someone was setting him up to be deported. Scott claimed that he carried out the plan to get Morales Reyes deported on his own, without any assistance. He has now been charged with identity theft and felony witness intimidation. Because Scott admitted to forging the letter, Oulahan said that he didn't expect the letter to be relevant to the judge during Morales Reyes' bond hearing. A staff member for U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) read a letter from Moore during the virtual press conference. Morales Reyes lives in Moore's district and Moore visited him in the Dodge County Jail. Moore has issued a letter requesting DHS to retract the accusations against Morales Reyes and remove Noem's statement claiming that he threatened to assassinate Trump from the DHS website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Undocumented migrant framed for threatening Trump is eligible for release
A Mexican man facing deportation after being framed for sending a threatening letter to Donald Trump could be released in the coming days. A Chicago immigration judge ruled on Tuesday that Ramón Morales-Reyes, 54, was not a threat to the public and set his bond at $7,500. 'Today's decision gives us hope that he can be by our side again,' Morales-Reyes's daughter Ana said in a statement via the organization Voces de la Frontera. 'We are so grateful to the judge and to the community for supporting us.' The Department of Homeland Security insists the 54-year-old is still a threat. 'While this criminal illegal alien is no longer under investigation for threats against the President, he is in the country illegally with previous arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct with domestic abuse,' Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. The Independent has contacted Morales-Reyes's lawyer for further comment. Reyes was arrested in May in Wisconsin after initially being thought to be the author of letters containing threats to Donald Trump and immigration agents. 'We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans – we have done more for this county than you whites – you have been deporting my family and now I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him,' the phony letter read. Homeland Security officials initially celebrated the arrest of Morales-Reyes, who they said was an 'illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump,' while attorneys and family members of the man said the letter couldn't be valid since Morales-Reyes can't speak or write in English. Last week, Wisconsin man Demetric D. Scott admitted to writing the letters under the Mexican man's name, in the hopes of getting him deported to prevent his testimony in a robbery case, according to officials. In an interview with police in May, Scott 'admitted that he wrote everything on the letters' and 'believed the letters were the simplest way to get Morales-Reyes 'off his back,' according to court documents obtained by Wisconsin Public Radio. Scott was allegedly recorded on a call from a Milwaukee County jail detailing the scheme to frame the immigrant to prevent him from testifying about a 2023 robbery in which authorities say Morales-Reyes was the victim. '[I]f he gets picked up by ICE, there won't be a jury trial so they will probably dismiss it that day,' Scott said, per court records. Scott, 52, was charged earlier this month with identity theft, intimidating a witness and two counts of bail jumping over the alleged scheme. The charges add to previous allegations of armed robbery, aggravated battery, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and bail jumping over a 2023 incident in which he allegedly attacked Morales-Reyes with a corkscrew while he was riding a bicycle, leaving him with a lung abrasion. Scott insisted the bicycle had been stolen from him and Morales-Reyes had previously threatened him. DHS said in a statement that Morales-Reyes entered the U.S. unlawfully at least nine times between 1998 and 2005. The 54-year-old immigrant's family says he is in the process of seeking a U visa for survivors and witnesses of violent crime. If Morales-Reyes is unable to post bond, removal proceedings begin on July 10. Homeland Security can appeal the bond decision.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man admits to forging letter to frame immigrant witness in Milwaukee
Protesters gather outside of the Federal Building in Milwaukee to denounce the arrest of Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) A Milwaukee man was charged Monday after writing a letter to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that threatened to assassinate President Donald Trump. Demetric Scott told investigators that he wrote the letter claiming to be 54-year Ramón Morales Reyes, a Mexican-born Milwaukee resident who does not have permanent legal status. Scott was already incarcerated in the Milwaukee County Jail for armed robbery and aggravated battery and allegedly victimized Morales Reyes when he committed that crime. WISN 12 reported that Scott told investigators that he wrote the letter framing Morales Reyes because he didn't want Morales Reyes to testify against him during his trial in July. Scott reportedly told a person during a recorded jailhouse call that if Morales Reyes 'gets picked up by ICE, there won't be a jury trial so they will probably dismiss it that day. That's my plan.' The letter Scott authored was written in perfect English, with only a few misspellings. 'We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans,' it stated, adding, 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 (sic) to shoot your precious president in the head – I'll see you at one of his big ralleys (sic).' The letter was likely referring to a 30-6 (pronounced 30 odd six) high caliber rifle round, and appeared to be an assassination threat against the president. On Friday, lawyers representing Morales Reyes and local immigration advocates from Voces de la Frontera held a press conference, asserting that Morales Reyes could not have authored the letter. The 54-year-old father, who works as a dishwasher, comes from a rural part of Mexico where he received little formal education. He does not speak English and cannot read or write proficiently even in Spanish. After Morales Reyes was arrested by ICE, his daughter contacted Voces de la Frontera and shared information about his background. Days after the arrest, Department of Homeland (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem issued a press statement, condemning Morales Reyes as having threatened President Trump's life. Noem said the letter was part of a series of dangerous threats to the president. Morales Reyes' attorneys and Voces de la Frontera called on DHS to retract Noem's statement and clear his name. It's unclear why Noem issued the statement, as CNN reported that MPD was investigating the likelihood that the letter was a fake on the day Morales Reyes was arrested. Scott told investigators that he did not receive any help in writing the letters. Democratic U.S. Reps. Gween Moore and Mark Pocan visited the Dodge County jail, Wisconsin's only ICE detention facility Monday, on a congressional oversight visit. They were not permitted to talk to anyone incarcerated there and did not receive any response to their questions from ICE. 'In this facility, ICE is still detaining Ramón Morales Reyes despite being wrongfully accused of a crime,' Moore and Pocan said in a joint statement. 'ICE is also working without transparency to Congress, which was only magnified by today's visit when we tried to call the local Milwaukee field office number on its website, but the number was disconnected. It is unacceptable for ICE to be inaccessible to Members of Congress. As members of Congress, we will continue using all tools available to conduct oversight.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
