Ryan Routh, suspected Florida Trump assassination gunman, charged in federal court
Ryan Routh, the man accused of aiming a rifle at Donald Trump, was charged with two federal firearms offenses.
WEST PALM BEACH — The man accused of aiming a rifle at Donald Trump on Sunday made his first appearance in federal court Monday.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is charged with two federal firearms offenses and faces up to 20 years in prison. Neither charge alludes to the assassination attempt authorities say they foiled when they spotted Routh at Trump International Golf Club, crouched in a bush and aiming a semi-automatic rifle in the former president's direction.
The first charge, felony possession of a firearm, carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The second, possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, is punishable by up to five years. Both charges carry a maximum three-year period of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Who is suspect Ryan Routh? Trump assassination attempt in Florida at West Palm golf course
According to his criminal complaint, Routh waited in the wooded outskirts of the golf course from about 2 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. A Secret Service agent who walked the golf course ahead of Trump said he spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a fence near the sixth hole and opened fire. Trump stood near the fifth hole.
Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. said Routh did not fire back. Instead, he fled, leaving behind the gun, a GoPro camera and several other belongings — all of which the FBI said are being analyzed for DNA.
Martin County sheriff's deputies arrested Routh a short time later as he drove along Interstate 95. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Routh was about 300-500 yards away from Trump, who was not injured in the incident.
The criminal complaint did not detail when Routh, whose last known address was in Hawaii, arrived in Palm Beach County, or where he obtained his weapons.
Routh appeared to be in good spirits Monday. He smiled often while speaking to his court-appointed defense attorney and answered each question posed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Ryon McCabe with a nod and a quiet "yes, your honor." He made no objections when informed of the charges against him.
A sketch artist sat across the courtroom from Routh in lieu of photographers, who are not allowed in federal court. It was not immediately clear whether the handful of civilians in the courtroom were friends or family of Routh, who spoke only to the judge and his attorney.
McCabe appointed Assistant U.S. Public Defender Kristy Militello to represent him after Routh described his finances, which — prior to his arrest — included an income of $3,000 a month and no savings. He did not say what his job was, nor the status of his employment.
Routh is scheduled to reappear in federal court for a bond hearing Sept. 23, at which point McCabe will decide whether to grant bail or deny itwhile Routh awaits trial. Prosecutors said they intend to argue for the latter, suggesting that Routh poses a flight risk and a threat to the community.
Until then, he will remain in the Palm Beach County Jail on Gun Club Road, across a canal from Trump’s golf course.
Hannah Phillips covers criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism and subscribe today.