Key Takeaways
• Demetric Scott framed Ramon Morales Reyes with forged Trump threat letters to avoid a robbery trial.
• Scott faces identity theft, witness intimidation, and bail jumping charges alongside armed robbery.
• Morales Reyes, an undocumented immigrant with a U visa application, was wrongly arrested by ICE.
A Milwaukee Story: Forged Trump Threat Letters, Immigration, and the Case of Demetric Scott
A complex case in Milwaukee has drawn national attention, involving a mix of criminal charges, immigration enforcement, and a scheme to manipulate the legal system. On June 3, 2025, Milwaukee prosecutors charged Demetric Scott, a 52-year-old man, with several felonies after he admitted to forging threatening letters against President Trump. The goal, prosecutors say, was to frame an undocumented immigrant, Ramon Morales Reyes, and have him deported before he could testify against Scott in an upcoming armed robbery trial.
This story highlights how immigration and criminal justice systems can sometimes be used in ways that put vulnerable people at risk. It also shows how quickly authorities can act on threats against high-profile figures, sometimes before all the facts are clear. Below, we break down what happened, why it matters, and what it could mean for immigrants, law enforcement, and families in the United States 🇺🇸.
The Charges Against Demetric Scott
Demetric Scott is currently in custody at the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility. On June 3, 2025, he was charged with:
- Identity theft
- Intimidating a witness
- Two counts of bail jumping
These new charges come on top of earlier charges from 2023, including armed robbery and aggravated battery. Scott’s armed robbery trial is set for July 2025.
According to the criminal complaint, Scott wrote several threatening letters in English. He pretended these letters were from Morales Reyes, a 54-year-old undocumented immigrant who was supposed to testify against him. The letters threatened President Trump’s life and were sent to several officials, including the Wisconsin Attorney General, the Milwaukee Police Chief, and the local office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Scott signed the letters with the initials “RM-R” and used Morales Reyes’ return address. He arranged for the letters to be mailed from outside the jail, using contacts on the outside.
One letter sent to ICE included a direct threat: “I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in [his] head.”
How the Forged Trump Threat Letters Led to an Arrest
The plan seemed to work at first. On May 22, 2025, ICE agents arrested Morales Reyes after he dropped his child off at school in Milwaukee. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrest, calling Morales Reyes “an illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump.” The White House shared this announcement on social media, including a photo of Morales Reyes and an image of the threatening letter.
But soon, investigators started to notice problems with the story:
- Morales Reyes does not speak or write English well. The letters were written in English, making it unlikely he wrote them.
- Handwriting samples did not match. When police compared Morales Reyes’ handwriting to the letters, they saw clear differences.
- Jail phone calls revealed the plan. Recordings of Scott’s phone calls from jail showed him talking about his plan to get Morales Reyes deported so he could not testify.
In one call, Scott said, “This dude is a god—- illegal immigrant and they just need to pick his a– up,” and “And the judge will agree cause if he gets picked up by ICE, there won’t be a Jury Trial so they will probably dismiss it that day. That’s my plan.”
When police interviewed Scott on May 30, 2025, he admitted to writing the letters and envelopes himself. He said he thought this was “the simplest way” to stop Morales Reyes from testifying.
The People Involved: Demetric Scott and Ramon Morales Reyes
Demetric Scott
- Age: 52
- Location: Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility
- Current Charges: Identity theft, witness intimidation, two counts of bail jumping, armed robbery, aggravated battery
- Trial Date: July 2025
Scott’s actions have added new charges to his already serious legal troubles. If convicted, he could face many years in prison.
Ramon Morales Reyes
- Age: 54
- Job: Dishwasher in Milwaukee
- Family: Lives with his wife and three U.S. citizen children
- Immigration Status: Undocumented immigrant
- Recent Actions: Applied for a U visa, which is for undocumented immigrants who are victims of serious crimes and help law enforcement
Morales Reyes was arrested by ICE on May 21, 2025, and remains in custody. His family is worried about what will happen next, especially since his children are U.S. citizens.
What Is a U Visa?
A U visa is a special visa for undocumented immigrants who have been victims of certain serious crimes, like assault or robbery, and who help police or prosecutors with their investigations. The idea is to encourage people to report crimes and help law enforcement without fear of being deported.
Morales Reyes’ lawyer, Kime Abduli, filed his U visa application. However, U visas are in high demand and there is a long wait. According to attorney Cain Oulahan, “U visas are unfortunately backlogged for years,” so Morales Reyes’ legal team is looking for other ways to keep him in the United States 🇺🇸 with his family.
For more information about U visas, you can visit the official USCIS U visa page.
How the Scheme Was Discovered
The case began to fall apart when investigators looked more closely at the details:
- Language Barrier: Morales Reyes does not speak or write English well, but the letters were written in English.
- Handwriting Analysis: Police compared Morales Reyes’ handwriting to the letters and found they did not match.
- Jail Phone Calls: Recordings of Scott’s phone calls from jail showed him discussing his plan to have Morales Reyes deported.
- Scott’s Confession: When questioned by police, Scott admitted to writing the letters and said he thought it was the easiest way to stop Morales Reyes from testifying.
These facts made it clear that Morales Reyes was being framed.
The Role of Immigration Enforcement
This case shows how quickly federal immigration authorities can act on threats against high-ranking officials. After receiving the forged Trump threat letters, ICE arrested Morales Reyes within days. Secretary Kristi Noem made a public announcement about the arrest, and the White House shared the news widely.
However, the investigation had not yet confirmed whether Morales Reyes actually wrote the letters. This raises questions about how authorities respond to threats and whether they should wait for more evidence before making arrests and public statements.
Legal and Immigration Implications
For Morales Reyes
Morales Reyes’ legal team is now focused on getting him released from ICE custody. According to his lawyer, Cain Oulahan, after securing his release, “the next step will be to pursue any relief he may qualify for in immigration court.”
Morales Reyes’ family is deeply affected. His wife and three children, all U.S. citizens, are worried about being separated from him. Deportation would mean breaking up their family and could have lasting effects on the children.
For Demetric Scott
Scott faces serious new charges, including identity theft and witness intimidation. If convicted, he could spend many years in prison. His actions also show how the criminal justice system can be manipulated to try to silence witnesses, especially those who are undocumented.
For Law Enforcement and Immigration Authorities
This case highlights the need for careful investigation before acting on threats, especially when those threats could affect someone’s immigration status or criminal case. It also shows how immigration enforcement can sometimes be used as a tool to obstruct justice.
Broader Issues Raised by the Case
This story is about more than just one crime. It raises important questions about how the criminal justice and immigration systems work together—and sometimes against each other.
Vulnerability of Undocumented Immigrants
Undocumented immigrants like Morales Reyes can be especially vulnerable in the legal system. Because they fear deportation, they may be less likely to report crimes or testify in court. This makes it easier for others to try to silence them or use their status against them.
Fast Response to Threats
Federal authorities acted quickly after receiving the forged Trump threat letters. While it’s important to take threats against the president seriously, this case shows the risk of moving too fast without enough evidence. Morales Reyes was arrested and his name and photo were shared publicly before investigators realized he was being framed.
Impact on Families
Morales Reyes’ family is a “mixed-status” family, meaning some members are U.S. citizens and others are not. Deportation would separate him from his wife and children, causing emotional and financial hardship. These situations are common in the United States 🇺🇸 and show how immigration enforcement can affect entire families, not just individuals.
Obstructing Justice
Scott’s plan was to use immigration enforcement to stop Morales Reyes from testifying. This is a form of witness intimidation and shows how the threat of deportation can be used to try to block justice. The case raises questions about what safeguards are in place to prevent this kind of abuse.
What Happens Next?
As the case moves forward, several things will be important to watch:
- Scott’s Trial: Demetric Scott is scheduled to go on trial for armed robbery in July 2025, along with the new charges related to the forged letters.
- Morales Reyes’ Immigration Case: His lawyers are working to get him released from ICE custody and to find ways for him to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 with his family.
- Possible Policy Changes: This case may lead to calls for better safeguards to protect witnesses in criminal cases, especially those who are undocumented.
What Can Immigrants and Families Do?
If you or someone you know is an undocumented immigrant who is a victim of a crime or a witness in a criminal case, here are some steps you can take:
- Know Your Rights: You have the right to remain silent and to speak to a lawyer. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
- Seek Legal Help: If you are a victim of a crime, you may be eligible for a U visa. Talk to an immigration lawyer or a trusted community organization for help.
- Document Everything: Keep records of any threats or attempts to intimidate you. This can help your case if someone tries to use your immigration status against you.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from trusted sources, such as USCIS and local immigrant support groups.
Official Resources
For more information on U visas and other forms of immigration relief, visit the USCIS U visa page.
If you are involved in a criminal case and worried about your immigration status, you can also find helpful information on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section.
Conclusion
The case of Demetric Scott, the forged Trump threat letters, and the arrest of Morales Reyes in Milwaukee is a powerful example of how immigration and criminal justice systems can intersect in unexpected and sometimes harmful ways. It shows the risks faced by undocumented immigrants, the need for careful investigation by authorities, and the impact these cases can have on families and communities.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this case is likely to spark more debate about how to protect vulnerable witnesses, prevent abuse of immigration enforcement, and keep families together. For now, Morales Reyes’ future remains uncertain, but his case is a reminder of the importance of fairness, careful investigation, and support for those caught in the middle of complex legal systems.
Learn Today
Undocumented Immigrant → A person residing in a country without legal authorization or valid immigration status.
U Visa → A visa for crime victims who assist law enforcement, protecting them from deportation.
Witness Intimidation → Illegal actions to threaten or influence a witness to prevent truthful testimony.
Identity Theft → Fraudulent use of another person’s personal information, often for criminal purposes.
Bail Jumping → Failing to appear in court after being released on bail, leading to additional charges.
This Article in a Nutshell
Demetric Scott forged threatening letters blaming Ramon Morales Reyes to stop his court testimony. Morales Reyes, arrested and held by ICE, faces a family separation risk. The case exposes immigration enforcement’s misuse and highlights the need to protect vulnerable immigrants from legal system manipulation and wrongful accusations.
— By VisaVerge.com
