By Blake Wolf, OAN Staff
Monday, September 23, 2024 6:14 p.m.
Federal Judge Ryan McCabe has ordered that Ryan Routh, the second man accused of plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, remain in custody until his trial.
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Routh appeared at his Florida court hearing wearing a blue prison uniform and with handcuffs around his hands and feet.
Routh is accused of camping out near Trump's Florida golf club for 12 hours, armed with a rifle, waiting for the former president to come into view, but he and his gun were discovered by US Secret Service agents, thwarting the plot to assassinate the former president.
Prior to this proceeding, the Department of Justice requested the Southern District of Florida to hold Routh in pretrial custody, and Judge McCabe granted the request, saying federal prosecutors had significant evidence justifying the request.
Authorities said Routh was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and that “additional charges are likely.”
Prosecutors also said they had obtained an audio recording of a jailhouse phone call between Routh and a “female friend” in which he can be heard telling the woman he was “sorry” and that she still “lived” with what he had done.
“You've done the worst thing,” she continued.
Mr McCabe also said Routh had been stalking Mr Trump for 30 days and had his passport and mobile phone in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Federal prosecutor Mark Dispoto described Roth's hiding place, located along the sixth hole of Trump's golf course, as “a veritable sniper's nest.” In addition to his firearm, Dispoto also said Roth was equipped with bulletproof plates in case of a Secret Service counterattack.
The Justice Department on Monday released a letter written by the suspect that it obtained months before the assassination attempt.
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