Undocumented Wisconsin man framed for Trump threat gets bond
The Brief
Ramón Morales-Reyes remains in jail after falsely being accused of threatening President Donald Trump.
An immigration judge ruled that Morales-Reyes does not pose a threat to the community.
The judge set bond for him, which could lead to his release this week.
MILWAUKEE - A judge has set bond for the undocumented man prosecutors say was framed in a threat against President Donald.
Ramón Morales-Reyes is being held in the Dodge County Jail, but could be freed this week.
What we know
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have held Morales-Reyes in jail for nearly three weeks.
On Tuesday, June 10, an immigration judge ruled Morales-Reyes does not pose a threat to the community. She set bond at $7,500.
"He will not get out today. The government reserved appeal, so they have one business day to decide whether to file the appeal or not. If they don't file by tomorrow, then the bond can be paid and he can get out," said Cain Oulahan, attorney for Morales-Reyes.
Local perspective
For the first time, we're hearing from his daughter, Anna.
"I've always been my dad's little girl, who grew up with a hard-working dad that was always making sure his family has food on the table, having a roof over our heads. He loved to take us to the park every weekend and go for walks as family, quality time," Anna Morales said. "He works hard every day as a dishwasher to provide for his family, making sure we are safe, cared for and guided."
"if he's 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," she added. "My dad is a not a threat to anyone. He is a good man who got caught up in a terrible situation. Now that the truth has been proven, I ask from the bottom of my heart he gets the justice he deserves. We need him more than words can explain."
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The backstory
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem accused him of writing a death threat against the president. Her social media post is still up.
But, Wisconsin investigators say that's not true. Instead, they have charged Demetric Scott with the alleged hoax.
Scott has been charged with:
Felony Identity Theft (Harm reputation)
Felony Intimidation of a Witness (By a person charged with a felony)
Felony Bail Jumping (2 counts)
His preliminary hearing on the charges was set for Tuesday, but it's been pushed back to June 23.
Prosecutors say Scott admitted to writing the letter to frame Morales-Reyes, hoping he would be deported, and not able to testify against him.
The criminal complaint goes on to state that Scott was arrested for, and charged with, the armed robbery and aggravated battery of Morales-Reyes in Milwaukee.
Prosecutors say Scott stated he believed the letters were the simplest way to "get him off his back "and said he knew including a threat to Trump in the letters would mean that the Secret Service would have to get involved, and law enforcement would investigate.
"It was very heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking to see my dad…that he would ever do such a thing," his daughter said. "Everyone who knows my dad knows he's not capable of writing something like that."
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FOX6 questioned the Department of Homeland Security if Secretary Noem would retract her allegation, which is still online.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin did not answer that question, but instead wrote: "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 immigration court, the judge stated that the arrests happened in 1996, and he was only convicted of a disorderly conduct.
What's next
His family has set up a GoFundMe to help with his legal bills and to help with the bond to get the man who works as a dishwasher out of the Dodge County Jail.
His attorneys are fighting to get him a special visa that the U.S. government gives to crime victims to help them come forward and help police.
The Source
The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
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