The suspect in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump laughed in court before he was charged with firearm offences.
Less than 24 hours after he is thought to have made an attempt on the former US president’s life, Ryan Routh was seen smiling and laughing with his lawyer.
Moments later, he was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person – a convicted felon – and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The first charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, while the latter offence carries up to five years in prison. Both can result in a $250,000 fine.
Routh, dressed in navy blue overalls, appeared calm and collected throughout the hearing on Monday, which took less than 10 minutes.
He told the courtroom five at the Paul G Rogers federal courthouse that he earns $3,000 a month, has “zero” real estate, owns two trucks in Hawaii and has one dependent, his 25-year-old son.
Magistrate judge Ryon M McCabe set a pretrial detention hearing for next Monday, and an arraignment hearing for Monday 30 September.
Routh could face further, more serious charges as the investigation continues and Justice Department prosecutors seek an indictment from a grand jury.
Routh was initially brought into the courtroom through a dark wooden door to the right of the judge’s bench just before 10am with three other defendants.
Minutes later Routh, who was shackled, was removed.
He re-entered the court at 10:35am and spoke intently with his lawyer, federal public defender Kristy Militello, as they reviewed court documents.
His was the sixth and final case heard before Mr McCabe on Monday morning.
Routh was sworn in just after 10:46am and the judge unsealed the criminal complaint.
Prosecutor Adam Craig McMichael argued Routh should be detained ahead of his trial as he is a flight risk and poses a danger to the community.
Asked about his financial standing, Routh said his youngest son, 25, is a dependent. He said he has a job but requires “occasional support”.
When asked if he had other possessions with value, such as jewellery, he replied: “no, nothing”.
Court was adjourned at 10:55am and Routh was escorted out.
Officials alleged yesterday Routh had hidden in bushes surrounding Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, pointed a with a scope at Trump, who was about 400 yards away.
It was the second apparent assassination attempt targeting Trump in three months.
On July 13, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear when gunman Thomas Crooks fired a volley of bullets while he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
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