A Milwaukee jury convicted a Wisconsin man of forging letters that threatened President Trump’s life to get a key witness in a case against the man deported. Before investigators uncovered the ruse, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly praised ICE for arresting the supposed letter-writer.
At trial, investigators proved the letters were fake, identifying them as part of Demetric Scott’s wider effort to derail his own criminal case. Prosecutors alleged that the 52-year-old Scott sent forged, handwritten letters under the name of Ramon Morales Reyes. Morales Reyes is a Mexican immigrant. who, at that time, prosecutors expected to testify against Scott in a Milwaukee robbery case.
The letters claimed Morales Reyes intended to harm President Trump. One letter read, “We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans. We have done more for this country than you white people — you have been deporting my family and I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him. I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I … shoot your precious president.”
Noem fell for it
After ICE agents detained Morales Reyes, Noem issued a statement applauding the agency.
Noem’s statement read in part: “Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars. This threat comes not even a year after President Trump was shot in Butler.”
The statement added, “All politicians and members of the media should take notice of these repeated attempts on President Trump’s life and tone down their rhetoric. I will continue to take all measures necessary to ensure the protection of President Trump.”
Investigators determined Morales Reyes could not have written the letters due to limited English proficiency and handwriting analysis. Jail calls intercepted from Scott confirmed he had orchestrated the scheme.
Court records show Scott faced charges for stabbing Morales Reyes during a dispute over a bicycle, and the letters were part of an effort to prevent Morales Reyes from testifying.
Scott confessed in court
Scott, representing himself, said in court, “I wrote the letters.” He added, “I don’t deny that,” saying he never denied that. “I tried to get him deported,” Scott said. However, Scott denied he stole the bike, claiming that the bicycle at the center of the dispute was his and he was taking it back, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In late January 2026, a Milwaukee County jury found Scott guilty of felony identity theft, witness intimidation, and reckless endangerment. Acquitted on some original robbery and battery charges, Scott now faces up to 26 years in prison.
Authorities cleared Morales Reyes of the assassination plot, and he now remains free on a $7,500 bond that an immigration judge granted in June 2025. He is living with his family in Milwaukee, according to the Associated Press. His attorneys report he is applying for a U‑visa, which could allow him to stay in the U.S. as a crime victim and witness.
The DHS press release regarding Morales Reyes remains on the official website with a disclaimer noting that he is no longer under investigation for threats. It still lists his prior immigration history.
Published: Feb 3, 2026 03:02 pm