The son of the man suspected of attempting to assassinate former president Donald Trump on his Floria golf course was arrested on child-pornography charges after federal authorities searched his home during the investigation into the assassination attempt.
Oran Routh, the son of would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh, allegedly possessed “hundreds” of child-pornography files on two electronic devices, federal investigators discovered when they searched his home and seized his devices in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The younger Routh is being charged with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Before his arrest, the Daily Mail interviewed Oran Routh and he expressed surprise at his father’s attempt to take Trump’s life.
In a criminal complaint, federal authorities describe some of the disturbing material on Oran Routh’s devices and his alleged use of a messaging app popular with those who seek out child pornography. His initial court appearance is expected to take place later Tuesday.
“A review of the SD card located in Device-1 revealed that it contained hundreds of child pornography files,” the complaint reads, referring to a Samsung Galaxy Note found in his room. “These files include videos from a known child pornography series created outside the state of North Carolina.”
Meanwhile, a judge ruled Monday that Ryan Routh will remain behind bars awaiting trial on federal gun charges for allegedly attempting to take Trump’s life on September 15. A Secret Service agent spotted the scope of Routh’s rifle in a bush and opened fire on him, causing him to flee the scene without firing a shot. Law enforcement quickly caught Routh with assistance from a civilian witness before he could escape.
Federal prosecutors argued for Routh’s detention in a memo Monday that featured a note Routh wrote to an unnamed person about his intention to kill Trump months before carrying out the assassination attempt.
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” Routh wrote. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
Federal prosecutors will also ask a grand jury to bring an assassination attempt charge against Routh, potentially keeping him behind bars for life.
The detention memo features a picture of Routh’s SKS-style rifle and describes the contents on six phones Routh possessed, including one with a search on how to travel from West Palm Beach to Mexico.
Before the assassination attempt, Routh complied a lengthy criminal rap sheet and attempted to recruit soliders to assist Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. Once a Trump supporter, Routh became a passionate opponent of the former president and urged Iran to kill Trump in his self-published manifesto.