A gunman arrested near Donald Trump’s golf course wrote a letter months ago saying he intended to kill the former president, court records show.
“This is an assassination attempt on Donald Trump,” the note read.
In documents filed Monday, prosecutors said the letter was sent to a witness’ home several months before the Sept. 15 incident in Florida.
Ryan Routh, 58, is scheduled to appear in federal court later Monday and could face more charges.
He is currently facing two federal gun crime charges.
The pre-written letter, addressed to “The World”, appeared to be intended to prevent an attempted assassination. “I have tried my best and mustered all my courage,” the letter read.
Routh, who told the judge during his first court appearance last week that he had no money and no savings, later said in a letter that he would pay a reward to anyone “who can get the job done.”
According to court documents filed by prosecutors, a box containing the letter — along with ammunition, construction materials, tools and four phones — was delivered to the unnamed witness’ home before the incident.
These documents were filed in support of Routh’s continued pretrial detention.
In the filing, prosecutors said the unnamed witness, who had an unclear relationship with Routh, opened the box after learning of the apparent assassination.
Routh has been in custody since his arrest on September 15.
Prosecutors said a Secret Service agent spotted his face in foliage while guarding the sixth hole at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach before discovering a rifle.
The agent then jumped out of the golf cart, pulled out a gun and fired after seeing Routh allegedly move his gun, court records said. Police said Routh did not fire the gun at any point during the incident.
The suspect fled, leaving behind a weapon and other items at the scene. He was arrested shortly after when a witness spotted him on Interstate 95, a major highway.
Court records show he had 11 bullets, including one loaded into a rifle.
Investigators also found a handwritten list in his car of Trump’s scheduled public appearances from August to October.
Phone records show Routh was near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort for nearly a month from August 18 to September 15.
Routh is originally from North Carolina and has lived there most of his life, although he has recently lived in Hawaii. He has had a number of legal issues in the past, including multiple charges of stolen goods between 1997 and 2010.
In 2022, Routh traveled to Ukraine in a failed attempt to recruit foreign soldiers for the Ukrainian military after the country was invaded by Russian forces.
The American is said to have been in regular contact with the corps with ideas described by one Ukrainian soldier as “nonsense” and “delusional”.
The suspect also admitted that he was rejected, citing his age and lack of combat experience.
A hearing on Monday will determine whether he should remain in custody. Prosecutors say he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Routh also has an impeachment trial scheduled for September 30, at which he is expected to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.
