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Suspect in Trump apparent assassination faces federal gun charges

Ryan Wesley Routh tells court he is indigent and represented by public defender

During Monday's eight-minute hearing, a stoic Routh told the court he is indigent and is being represented by a public defender

The suspect in former President Donald Trump's most recent assassination attempt makes his first appearance in a federal courthouse in West Palm Beach on Sept. 16, 2024.

By: Dave Bohman , Brooke Chau , CNN Newsource , Associated Press

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, was in federal court for an initial appearance Monday morning.

WPTV reporters Dave Bohman and Brooke Chau were the only local television reporters in the courtroom for the hearing.

Wearing dark prison scrubs with his feet and hands shackled, Routh, 58, appeared before Magistrate Judge Ryon M. McCabe.

It was announced that Routh, a resident of Hawaii, is currently facing two charges: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon along with possession and receipt of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

An AK-style rifle and scope were found outside Trump's golf course after Routh's arrest on Sunday.

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The charge of possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction carries a possible 15-year sentence, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

A second charge of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number carries a possible five-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine and also three years supervised release.

Routh will be in court for a bond hearing next Monday. A second hearing is scheduled for a formal arraignment in two weeks where he is expected to enter a plea.

Additional charges could be filed.

During Monday's eight-minute hearing, a stoic Routh told the court he is indigent and is being represented by a public defender. Speaking in a soft voice, he said that he was working and making around $3,000 a month, but has zero savings.

At times, the suspect was laughing and smiling while conferring with his attorney, Bohman said.

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Trump's name was not mentioned nor was the phrase "attempted assassination" during the hearing.

Routh said that he has no real estate or assets, aside from two trucks worth about $1,000, both located in Hawaii.

The suspect also said that he has a 25-year-old son, whom he sometimes supports.

Routh stopped by officers 45 minutes after he fled the golf course, court documents say

According to the criminal complaint, Routh was convicted of felonies in North Carolina in December 2002 and March 2010.

Read the complaint against Routh below:

According to the complaint, cellphone records show that Routh was in the area of the golf course tree line for about 12 hours, from approximately 1:59 a.m. until 1:31 p.m. on Sunday.

Court documents say that Routh was stopped by deputies in Martin County about 45 minutes after he fled the golf course.

Officials said that Routh answered in the affirmative when officers asked him if he knew why he was being stopped. The vehicle was stopped at about 2:14 p.m. on northbound Interstate 95 in Martin County.

The license plate on the Nissan SUV in which Routh was stopped was registered to a 2012 Ford truck that has been reported stolen, according to authorities.

More of WPTV's coverage of Trump assassination attempt below: