Full Breakdown
Wisconsin Man Convicted for Forging Threats Against Trump Witness
1/30/2026, 5:51:35 AM
Core Event: Jury Convicts Demetric Scott of Witness Intimidation
A Milwaukee County jury found 52-year-old Demetric Scott guilty of felony identity theft and witness intimidation on Thursday, following a three-day trial. The charges stemmed from Scott's actions to forge threats against President Donald Trump in an attempt to have his robbery victim, Mexican immigrant Ramon Morales Reyes, deported. Scott represented himself during the trial and was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.
Incident Details: Assault and Forgery
The case began in September 2023 when Scott assaulted Morales Reyes, stabbing him with a box cutter and stealing his bicycle. Scott was arrested shortly after the incident. While in jail, he wrote letters impersonating Morales Reyes, threatening to kill Trump at a rally. Investigators determined that Morales Reyes, who has limited English proficiency, could not have authored the letters, as the handwriting did not match his.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Scott faced multiple charges, including armed robbery, battery, and reckless endangerment related to the bike incident. The jury acquitted him of robbery and battery but found him guilty of reckless endangerment. He was also charged with bail jumping due to his actions while out on bail for a prior burglary charge. In total, Scott faces up to 26 years in state prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 27.
Impact on Morales Reyes: Immigration Status and Family
Morales Reyes, who has been in the U.S. since the 1980s, is currently in ICE custody pending deportation. He has a criminal history, including multiple illegal entries into the U.S. and various offenses, but his attorney, Cain Oulahan, stated that recent background checks revealed no new criminal cases against him. Morales Reyes has applied for a U-visa, which would allow him to remain in the U.S. as a crime victim, although the process may take years.
Oulahan expressed that Scott's conviction is a significant relief for Morales Reyes and his family, who have endured trauma throughout the legal proceedings. "He just wants to work and be with his family again," Oulahan noted.
Official Statements & Responses
Following the verdict, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, had previously publicized Morales Reyes' arrest as part of the administration's immigration enforcement efforts. However, a disclaimer has since been added to the DHS website, clarifying that Morales Reyes is no longer under investigation for threatening Trump but remains in ICE custody.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the DHS's handling of the case have raised concerns about the implications of using threats against public figures to manipulate immigration enforcement. The situation has sparked discussions about the intersection of criminal justice and immigration policy, particularly regarding how vulnerable individuals like Morales Reyes are treated within the system.
Verbatim Quotes
“He said Scott's conviction is a huge relief for Morales Reyes and his family.” — Cain Oulahan, Attorney for Ramon Morales Reyes
“He's been traumatized by going through all this, all these different levels that feel like victimization,” — Cain Oulahan, Attorney for Ramon Morales Reyes
