According to his lawyers and reports, a Wisconsin man accused of sending a handwritten letter to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office, claiming he would “shoot your precious president in the head” after his loved ones were allegedly deported by the Trump administration, was actually framed in a scheme to get him removed from the country.
According to law enforcement sources familiar with the case, federal officials believe Ramon Morales Reyes did not write the letter that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her office claim he wrote and sent to the ICE office, which resulted in his arrest and public identification last week.
According to Morales Reyes’ attorneys and immigrant advocates, the Mexico native cannot even write in Spanish — “let alone” English — and is actually the victim in the criminal case that prompted the setup.
“A family member called one of our organizers and told us this was impossible because her father had very little formal education and could not read or write,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, at a press conference on Friday, where she and Morales Reyes’ legal team demanded a response from Homeland Security, according to local ABC affiliate WISN.
“We’re asking DHS for a clarification and correction to clear Ramon’s name of any involvement in this,” said Morales Reyes’ attorney, Kime Abduli.
According to the Associated Press, federal officials believe the Mexican father of two was set up to be deported in order to keep him from testifying in an assault case.
“He’s actually suffered more than the average person,” said attorney Cain Oulahan, who also represents Morales Reyes. “To be pulled into the limelight like this, to have a false accusation, the harm he’s suffered,” Oulahan told reporters.
On May 22, ICE arrested Reyes and booked him at the Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, pending removal proceedings because he was “in the U.S. illegally,” according to a DHS press release, which included a screenshot of the letter Morales Reyes is accused of sending.
“You have been deporting my family and I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him,” the brief email states.
“We are tired of this President messing with us Mexicans,” the statement reads. “We have done more for this country than you white people.”
The letter was received by an ICE field intelligence officer on May 21, according to the DHS press release. It stated that Morales Reyes would “self-deport” back to Mexico.
“But not before I use my 30 yard 6 [SIC] to shoot your precious president in his head [SIC],” the letter concluded, referring to a.30-06 rifle. “I will see him at one of his big ralleys.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, federal law enforcement sources told CNN and the Associated Press that authorities were able to confirm Morales Reyes did not write the letter based on a handwriting sample he provided. They claimed his handwriting did not match and the letter did not constitute a credible threat, but Homeland Security allegedly chose to charge him anyway for unknown reasons.
According to CNN, a source familiar with the situation said law enforcement officials reviewed jail calls that were allegedly made by a suspect they believe is responsible for framing Morales Reyes. The suspect was asking about addresses during them, including one for the ICE office that allegedly received the letter.
The Milwaukee Police Department has confirmed to CNN, the Associated Press, and WISN that it is investigating a “identity theft and victim intimidation incident” that is allegedly “related” to the Morales Reyes case. The county district attorney’s office has stated that it is investigating the allegations, as is DHS.
“The investigation into the threat is ongoing,” a senior Homeland Security official told CNN. “During the course of the investigation, it was determined that this individual was in the country illegally and had a criminal record. “He will remain in custody.”
Morales Reyes reportedly works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee, where he lives with his wife and three children. According to his lawyers, he recently applied for a U visa, which is issued to victims of serious crimes.
“I think he deserves more than just due process to see if he can stay,” Oulahan said on Friday. “I think he deserves to have his name cleared.”
