Immigrant Who Prosecutors Say Was Framed for Threat Can Be Freed, Judge Says
A judge ruled on Tuesday that an undocumented immigrant who prosecutors said was wrongly accused of threatening the president could be released on bond while the government seeks to have him deported.
The man, Ramon Morales Reyes, who worked as a dishwasher at a Milwaukee restaurant, was arrested last month and accused by the Department of Homeland Security of writing a letter threatening to assassinate President Trump. Days later, Wisconsin prosecutors said Mr. Morales Reyes had been framed by another man who had written the letter to get Mr. Morales Reyes arrested by immigration officials before he could testify against him in a robbery trial.
Even after Milwaukee County prosecutors filed identity theft and witness intimidation charges last week against the other man, Demetric D. Scott, a lifelong resident of Wisconsin, the Department of Homeland Security left online a news release accusing Mr. Morales Reyes of making the threats. Mr. Morales Reyes was not charged with any crimes related to the threats, but has remained in jail in the immigration case since May 22.
Supporters of Mr. Morales Reyes, who is from Mexico, called on federal officials to issue a correction to their news release, which included photos of Mr. Morales Reyes and of the threatening letter, handwritten in blue ink. That news release remained online as of Tuesday morning, though Homeland Security officials added a disclaimer to the bottom of the webpage acknowledging that he 'is no longer under investigation for threats against the president.'
When Mr. Morales Reyes appeared by video in immigration court on Tuesday, Judge Carla Espinoza said she had found 'that the respondent is not currently a danger to the community' and that he could be released on $7,500 bond.
The government has until next month to appeal that decision. A Homeland Security lawyer did not argue against Judge Espinoza's decision during the hearing. At a previous hearing, the federal government's lawyer said she believed Mr. Morales Reyes was eligible for bond.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump booed and cheered at the Kennedy Center while attending 'Les Misérables'
WASHINGTON (AP) — The drama in the audience rivaled the spectacle on stage on Wednesday at the Kennedy Center, where President Donald Trump went to the opening night of 'Les Misérables' as he tightens his grip on the venerable performing arts institution. It was his first time attending a show there since his election, and he was booed and cheered as he took his seat alongside first lady Melania Trump. Near the end of the intermission, someone loudly cursed his name, drawing applause. Several drag queens were in the crowd, their presence a protest against Trump's complaints that the Kennedy Center had hosted too many drag shows in the past. Despite the condemnation, the event had a MAGA-does-Broadway feel. Ric Grenell, the Trump-appointed interim leader of the Kennedy Center, was there, as were Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha. Before the show began, Attorney General Pam Bondi chatted with guests and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took selfies. Laura Loomer, the conspiracy theorist who has advised Trump on personnel decisions, posted a video from a seat near the stage. Trump walked the red carpet with the first lady when they arrived at the Kennedy Center, which he's been remaking in his image while excising what he describes as liberal ideology. 'We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever,' Trump said. The Republican president has a particular affection for 'Les Misérables,' the sprawling musical set in 19th-century France, and has occasionally played its songs at his events. One of them, 'Do You Hear the People Sing?,' is a revolutionary rallying cry inspired by the 1832 rebellion against the French king. The three-hour production featured singing and dancing, with the sounds of explosions and gunfire filling the theater as protesters and soldiers clashed on stage. For Trump's critics, it was an unnerving echo of what's unfolding in Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed National Guard troops in response to protests over his deportation policies. 'Someone explain the plot to him," California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, wrote on social media. Terry Gee, a bartender, bought his ticket for the show in November and didn't mind Trump's presence. It's his sixth time seeing 'Les Misérables,' and he said, 'I'm going to enjoy the show regardless." Hannah Watkins, a nurse, only learned that Trump would be there when the Kennedy Center distributed information about extra security and she searched online to see what was happening. 'I've seen a lot of famous people so far, which is exciting,' said Watkins, who had claimed a spot near the VIP entrance with her mother. 'Honestly, we just like 'Les Mis' and are excited to be here.' Before Trump, presidential involvement in the Kennedy Center's affairs had been limited to naming members to the board of trustees and attending the taping of its annual honors program in the fall. But after returning to office in January, Trump stunned the arts world by firing the Kennedy Center's longtime director and board and replacing them with loyalists, who then named him as chairman. Trump promised to overhaul its programming, management and even appearance as part of an effort to put his stamp on the national arts scene. His latest moves have upset some of the center's patrons and performers. In March, the audience booed the Vances after they slipped into upper-level seats to hear the National Symphony Orchestra. Trump appointed Usha Vance to the Kennedy Center board along with Bondi, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Fox News Channel hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham, among other supporters. Sales of subscription packages are said to have declined since Trump's takeover, and several touring productions, including 'Hamilton,' have canceled planned runs at the center. Actor Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens scrapped scheduled appearances, and Kennedy Center consultants including musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigned. Understudies may have performed in some roles Wednesday night because of boycotts by 'Les Misérables' cast members, but Trump said he wasn't bothered by anyone skipping the performance. 'I couldn't care less,' he said. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has adopted a more aggressive posture toward the arts. The White House has taken steps to cancel millions of dollars in previously awarded federal humanities grants to arts and culture groups, and Trump's budget blueprint proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Trump has also targeted Smithsonian museums by signing executive orders to restrict their funding and by attempting to fire the director of the National Portrait Gallery. The president characterized previous programming at the Kennedy Center as 'out of control with rampant political propaganda' and said it featured 'some very inappropriate shows,' including a 'Marxist anti-police performance' and 'lesbian-only Shakespeare.' The Kennedy Center, which is supported by government money and private donations, opened in 1971 and for decades has been seen as an apolitical celebration of the arts. It was first conceived in the late 1950s during the administration of Republican President Dwight Eisenhower, who backed a bill from the Democratic-led Congress calling for a National Culture Center. In the early 1960s, Democratic President John F. Kennedy launched a fundraising initiative, and his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed into law a 1964 bill renaming the project the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Kennedy had been assassinated the year before. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Kennedy in New York contributed to this report. Darlene Superville And Chris Megerian, The Associated Press
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Let her walk': After public outcry, Cumberland exchange student walks at graduation
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — A Cumberland High School exchange student was allowed to walk at graduation Wednesday night following a last-minute reversal sparked by community backlash. Clara, a foreign exchange student from France, was blindsided and confused after school leaders pulled her aside after rehearsal wrapped Tuesday, telling her she would not be able to participate in the ceremony. According to Jason Dean, a Cumberland School Committee member, Clara's host family emailed the entire committee expressing that she was devastated and had never been told she couldn't walk. Not only was it never communicated to Clara or her host family, but the school allowed her to go through the full graduation preparation process—including paying dues, ordering a cap and gown, and submitting the proper pronunciation of her name. Dean clarified that Clara was not seeking a diploma, but simply wanted recognition for completing her senior year abroad. 'Since November, she had assumed she was going to be allowed to walk across the stage,' Dean explained. 'She never thought she was going to get a diploma.' While certain policies prevent students from walking if they do not meet graduation requirements, Dean said that wasn't the case here. 'The policy that the superintendent quoted didn't mention foreign exchange students or people that weren't matriculating for the diploma from other countries,' he said. This decision prompted swift backlash from parents and community members, who criticized the school for poor communication and a lack of transparency. Word spread quickly on social media, with several people saying Clara had been 'led on' and raising concerns about the 'fairness and inclusivity' of the district's policies. In response, two emergency meetings were called—the first an executive session behind closed doors, which Dean said he strongly opposed. 'Whatever can be done in the public eye, in the spirit of transparency, should be done in the public eye,' Dean said. 'Unfortunately, they didn't invite the student or the host parents to that meeting, so when we did go from executive to the public session, they weren't there to explain themselves.' In the interim, the superintendent reportedly said Clara's previous host family was notified in July 2024 that she wouldn't be able to walk. However, Dean said that was not clearly communication to her current host when she transferred. He said Clara was so confident she'd be participating that she moved her return flight to France ahead of the ceremony. On Wednesday morning, the principal issued a statement saying he stood by his decision, a position backed by the superintendent, leaving it up to the School Committee to make the final call. Ultimately, the committee voted 6-0 to let Clara walk, and after a stressful 48 hours, she crossed the stage Wednesday night alongside her classmates. 'It really was the political uproar that caused the special meeting,' Dean said, adding that the justification for the reversal was the short notice of the situation. Dean said that the committee plans to revisit the district's policy to prevent similar confusion in the future, such as students who may receive diplomas after summer school. NEXT: Warwick twins graduating high school as valedictorian and salutatorian Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lawsuit filed against City of Albuquerque and motel owners over shooting death in police car
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The family of Matthew 'Solo' Garcia is demanding justice following his death after police shot him while he was handcuffed in the back of a patrol car. They are suing multiple parties, including the city and a motel owner, claiming responsibility for his death. Story continues below News: Albuquerque couple facing charges in 4-month-old's death Investigation: Politicians sink $13M in closed New Mexico tourist attraction Trending: Videos show man in dumpster getting dumped into waste truck in Albuquerque Events: Albuquerque Summerfest's 2025: What you need to know One of the attorneys representing the Garcia family, Frances Crockett Carpenter, said, 'This was a human life. This was a human who deserved the same constitutional protections as everyone else.' 'They had no right to approach his home. They had no right to question him. They had no right to arrest him and handcuff him,' said Taylor Smith, another attorney representing the family. On October 18, 2024, the city was conducting a code enforcement cleanup at the Tewa Lodge due to various safety concerns and criminal activity. APD (Albuquerque Police Department) was present to assist when they encountered Garcia, who was living at the motel. Police deemed him suspicious, so they handcuffed him and placed him in the back of a police car. Attorneys highlighted a series of issues with this arrest, beginning with the fact that Garcia was not pat down, as shown in police body camera footage. In the video, an officer can be heard saying, 'Hey, can you just keep eyes on him, please? He's moving a lot, and I haven't searched him yet.' The police later discovered that Garcia was armed. One officer asked, 'What do you have in your hand, dude?' to which Garcia replied, 'A gun.' The shooting unfolding quickly, with one officer trying to grab the gun while two others opened fire from the opposite side of the car. The attorneys also pointed out that some of the officers present lacked proper training and had a history of failing to pat down suspects. Carpenter saying, 'You make sure that your officers are trained and when they don't follow their training, they're disciplined for it. They get additional remedial training.' The attorneys also cited that the city's code enforcement department also holds some of the responsibility, arguing that they failed to notify the residents of the Tewa Lodge about the planned shutdown, violating eviction laws. They also added that the motel owners contributed to the situation by neglecting the property's upkeep, which allowed criminal activity to flourish and led to the city's intervention. 'The Tewa Lodge could have provided notice to those individuals saying you have a couple of days to get rid of the criminal activity, otherwise I have to evict you and follow the court process,' said Smith In response, the city send News 13 a statement: The City will be prepared to respond to the allegations in court. In these tough times, it's critical that our City cracks down on nests of crime, drugs and neglect. We cannot allow vulnerable people to be preyed upon, trafficked, or forced to live in squalor. That's why we're taking action to clean up problem properties across the city. When motels fail to meet basic living standards, they put tenants and the public at serious risk. From electrical hazards, disabled smoke alarms and blocked exits, to broken plumbing and pest infestations, these properties are dangerous. Code enforcement is taking action to hold them accountable, and their efforts are about health and safety, not policing. Staci Drangmeister, Director of Communications, Mayor's Office Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
