A federal judge in South Florida denied bond to Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Routh, 58, is currently held on two federal firearms charges but is now facing an additional charge of attempted assassination, federal prosecutors said during a hearing Monday in U.S. District Court in Miami.
The charge carries a sentence of up to life in prison.
The judge denied Routh bail after prosecutors provided new details about his plans to try to kill Mr. Trump, including a manifesto that offered $150,000 for someone to carry out the assassination of the former president if his attempt failed.
Routh, a convicted felon, has been jailed since September 15. He was spotted that day by a Secret Service agent in the bushes across from the sixth hole at Trump International Golf Course, where the former president was playing. The agent scanning the green ahead of Mr. Trump saw the muzzle of a rifle protruding from the bushes and said the barrel shifted toward him. He fired shots at Routh, and a witness saw Routh flee the scene. He was arrested later in the day by Martin County sheriff’s deputies. Investigators found an SKS-style rifle and backpack left in the bushes at the sixth hole. Mr. Routh’s fingerprint was found on the gun.
Court documents released Monday show Routh had not only admitted in writing that he planned to assassinate Mr. Trump, but he searched escape routes to Mexico.
In denying Routh bail, the judge deemed him a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Routh will be arraigned Sept. 30.
• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.