Ryan W. Routh, who is suspected of trying to kill Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump on a West Palm Beach golf course, stands handcuffed after being arrested during a traffic stop near Palm City, Florida, US, September 15, 2024.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office | Via Reuters
Federal prosecutors said in a new court filing that Ryan Routh, the accused would-be assassin of Donald Trump, stalked the former president for months before being arrested last week outside a Florida golf course.
The filing states that on August 14, “Routh traveled from the Greensboro, North Carolina, area, to West Palm Beach, Florida.”
“On multiple days and times from August 18, 2024, to September 15, 2024, Routh’s cell phone accessed cell towers located near Trump International and the former President’s residence at Mar-a-Lago,” according to the filing in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District Florida, where he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The filing, made ahead of Routh’s scheduled court appearance on Monday, also details the contents of a handwritten letter found in a box opened by witnesses on Wednesday. Witnesses told investigators and Routh had dropped off the box a few months before September 15. The box “filled with ammunition, metal pipes, various building materials, personal, four phones, and various letters,” filed in.
“One of the handwritten letters, addressed to “The World”, among other things, said, ‘This was an attempt to kill Donald Trump but I failed you,'” the filing said.
“‘I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster,'” the letter said, according to court filings.
Prosecutors also said that investigatorsfound, in a backpack and shopping bag associated with Routh, a plate that “can prevent small arms fire.”
And “during a search of the Nissan Xterra” that Routh was driving, “FBI agents found two additional license plates,” the court said.
The perimeter of Trump International is surrounded by a chain link fence, and the southeast corner of the course has been screened by trees and brush. The 6th hole on the fairway is near the southeast corner, as shown on the map.
DOJ
“Agents also found six cellphones. One of the cellphones contained a Google search on how to travel from Palm Beach County to Mexico,” the filing said. “Agents also found 12
a pair of gloves; Hawaii Driver’s License in Defendant’s name; passport with the Defendant’s name.”
And FBI agents also found “handwritten lists of dates in August, September, and October 2024 and places where the former President appeared or was expected to be,” the filing said.
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