Inmate Fabricated Threats to Influence Trial Outcome
An inmate in Wisconsin, Demetric DeShawn Scott, has been charged after prosecutors revealed he forged threatening letters directed at former President Donald Trump. The letters were designed to incriminate an undocumented immigrant, Ramon Morales-Reyes, and get him deported ahead of Scott’s pending criminal trial.
Background and Motivation Behind the Scheme
Scott, 52, allegedly crafted the letters from jail with the goal of removing Morales-Reyes as a key witness against him. Morales-Reyes is a Mexican immigrant and dishwasher who was slated to testify in Scott’s armed robbery and battery trial scheduled for July 15, 2025.
Recorded jail conversations reveal Scott’s plan: he hoped that if Morales-Reyes was deported by ICE, the trial would be dismissed due to the absence of this critical witness. Scott stated in one call, "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."
Charges and Legal Proceedings
- Scott faces charges including identity theft, felony intimidation of a witness, and bail jumping in Milwaukee Circuit Court.
- He admitted during a police interview to authoring all the threatening letters and envelopes himself, with the intent described simply as "Freedom."
Ramon Morales-Reyes’ Status and Immigration Details
Morales-Reyes, a 54-year-old father of three U.S. citizen children, remains in custody due to his undocumented status. He has an upcoming immigration court appearance and faces potential removal from the U.S.
According to authorities, Morales-Reyes has entered the U.S. illegally multiple times between 1998 and 2005 and has a criminal record including felony hit-and-run and domestic abuse-related offenses.
Legal Representation and Victim Status
Morales-Reyes’ legal counsel has sought relief through a U visa application, which is available for undocumented individuals who are victims of qualifying crimes. His attorneys emphasize that Morales-Reyes cooperated fully with law enforcement after being attacked by Scott with a box cutter in 2023.
The lawyers continue to work toward securing his release from immigration detention, highlighting the emotional toll on Morales-Reyes and his family.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
The investigation revealed that threatening letters were sent to several officials, including the Wisconsin Attorney General and Milwaukee law enforcement, all bearing Morales-Reyes’ return address but written by Scott with inconsistent handwriting compared to Morales-Reyes’ own samples.
Authorities traced calls made from jail by Scott, where he instructed others to mail the threatening letters and contact ICE using false identities.
Officials’ Responses and Current Status
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) affirmed Morales-Reyes’ continued detention based on his immigration status and criminal history. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem lauded the arrest of the individual accused of threatening the former president.
Meanwhile, Scott’s scheme has been publicly exposed, revealing a complex effort to derail the legal process through intimidation and deception.
Conclusion
This case underscores the intersections between criminal justice, immigration, and legal ethics, highlighting how prison inmates may attempt to manipulate proceedings to avoid accountability. It also raises concerns about the treatment of immigrant witnesses who cooperate with authorities yet face deportation risks.
