A Chicago Immigration Court judge ruled on Tuesday that Ramon Morales-Reyes, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, can be released on a $7,500 bond after being wrongfully accused by an incarcerated individual of threatening former President Donald Trump.
During the hearing, Judge Carla Espinoza expressed her belief that Morales-Reyes, a long-time Milwaukee resident, does not pose a risk to the community while awaiting the outcome of his removal proceedings.
Judge Espinoza acknowledged Morales-Reyes’ criminal history, noting that although he has been arrested multiple times since 1996, he has only a single conviction for disorderly conduct.
Federal authorities did not contest the bond request made by Morales-Reyes’ attorney, Cain Oulahan, who appeared for the hearing alongside his client, currently held at the Dodge County Jail in Wisconsin.
She indicated that if Morales-Reyes is unable to raise the bond amount, the next hearing will take place on July 10, with additional hearings scheduled as necessary should he be released.
Finance Newso has sought comments from Oulahan regarding the case.
In a statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin remarked on the situation, indicating that while Morales-Reyes is no longer under investigation for threats against the President, he remains in the U.S. illegally and has prior arrests related to serious offenses.
McLaughlin stated, “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.”
Morales-Reyes, who established residency in the United States in 1986, was apprehended on May 22 under suspicion of sending three threatening letters to law enforcement in Wisconsin targeting Trump and others.
A week later, Secretary Noem highlighted Morales-Reyes’ arrest in a department news release, branding him as an “illegal alien” and displaying both his photograph and a copy of one of the letters threatening to shoot the “precious president.”
However, Milwaukee police soon identified discrepancies in the allegations against him, as reported in court documents.
Investigators found that Morales-Reyes’ handwriting did not match the letters and envelopes, which had his return address. A further examination revealed his limited proficiency in the English language, while the letters were written entirely in English.
When questioned about potential motives for the incident, Morales-Reyes indicated that the only person who would want to incriminate him was Demetric D. Scott, the individual who had allegedly robbed him, as known to law enforcement.
Scott, who is currently held in Milwaukee County Jail, was arrested in late 2023 for allegedly robbing Morales-Reyes and inflicting injury with a box cutter.
In a revelation made during a police interview in late May, Scott claimed he penned the threatening letters, using Morales-Reyes’ address on the envelopes in a bid to get him arrested, thus preventing his testimony at Scott’s upcoming criminal trial.
Scott planned to have his case dismissed if Morales-Reyes failed to appear in court due to the arrest.
Charges against Scott include identity theft, felony witness intimidation, and bail jumping linked to the letter-writing incident.
At the time of his arrest, Morales-Reyes had submitted an application for a special visa designated for victims of certain crimes.
Despite the discredited allegations against him, a webpage detailing Morales-Reyes’ arrest remains available on the DHS site, which includes a disclaimer mentioning that he is no longer under investigation for threatening Trump.
