By The Opinion
Sep 16, 2024, 2:46 PM EDT
Ryan Routh, suspected of attempting to assassinate former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump (2017-2021), on a golf course in South Florida He was charged Monday with federal firearms charges that could carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years..
Routh made his first appearance in federal court in West Palm Beach on Monday, where he appeared in handcuffs and a prison uniform after being arrested Sunday on suspicion of trying to shoot the former president with an assault rifle while he was playing on a golf course he owned.
During a hearing lasting just under ten minutes and presided over by federal judge Ryon McCabe, Prosecutors charged Routh with two counts: possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Moments before the arraignment, police officials said the AK-47 rifle seized at the scene and believed to have been used by the suspect to shoot Trump had a scratched serial number.
In court, Routh, 58, said he has no savings, his only assets are two trucks currently in Hawaii, and that he earns about $3,000 a month in income. He is also the father of a 25-year-old son.
The bail hearing was set for September 23, and the arraignment hearing for September 30.in which new accusations could be added as the investigation progresses, it was announced today.
What do you know about the new attack on Trump?
The second assassination attempt on the current Republican candidate, just over two months after the one he suffered in Butler (Pennsylvania), occurred at around 1:30 pm on Sunday and was prevented after Secret Service agents spotted a man with a scoped rifle behind a golf course fence.
The Secret Service fired shots and the man ran out from behind some bushes where he was hiding, but was arrested a few minutes later on a road in his vehicle. The gun was found in the bushes, as well as two backpacks and a GoPro sports camera.
Early this morning, in a message published through Truth Social, Trump thanked citizens for their concern and good wishes, as well as the United States Secret Service and the local Sheriff, Ric Bradshaw, and his office.
With information from EFE
Continue reading:
• Trump says he hates singer Taylor Swift who endorsed Kamala Harris after the debate
• Man arrested for attacking Trump on his golf course had an AK-47 rifle
• Man arrested at Trump’s golf course was trying to attack the former president