A Wisconsin man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for impersonating an immigrant to frame him with fake death threats against President Donald Trump. Demetric Scott targeted Ramon Morales Reyes to avoid testifying in a robbery case. The scheme led to Morales Reyes's mistaken arrest by federal authorities.
Demetric Scott, 52, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Friday to over 16 years in prison following convictions on multiple charges. A Milwaukee County jury found him guilty in early February of misappropriating a person's identity to harm reputation, intimidating a witness, recklessly endangering safety, and bail jumping. The case stemmed from Scott's attack on Ramon Morales Reyes, a dishwasher and father of three who immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s.
In 2025, Scott assaulted Morales Reyes by kicking him off a bicycle, stabbing him with a box cutter, and stealing the bike. While in jail awaiting trial, Scott orchestrated a scheme to deport Morales Reyes before he could testify. Posing as Morales Reyes, Scott wrote threatening letters that included statements like, "I am not scared of the Trump Administration," and "We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans... I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I … shoot your precious president." The letters also mentioned blowing up the White House "like 911 in New York."
Scott enlisted his mother, without her knowledge, to mail the letters. The plot fooled Department of Homeland Security officials, including Secretary Kristi Noem, who publicly accused Morales Reyes of the threats. In a May 2025 press release, Noem stated, "This threat comes not even a year after President Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania and less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the President's assassination." ICE arrested Morales Reyes that month, booking him at Dodge County Jail pending removal, despite some federal awareness that he did not author the letters.
At sentencing, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Kristy Yang remarked, "It was clear and it still is clear to me today that you only care about yourself," and noted Scott's expressed disdain for the victim and desire for his deportation. Assistant District Attorney Kyle Elderkin emphasized the need for a strong sentence to deter interference with justice. Morales Reyes, who has testified in two trials and whose image was widely broadcast, did not attend the hearing. He is now out on bond and has applied for a U-visa as a crime victim. His attorney, Cain Oulahan, described him as traumatized and seeking to work and reunite with his family.
Scott received 10 years in prison plus five years of extended supervision for recklessly endangering safety; one year and six months plus two years of extended supervision for identity misappropriation; and five years plus five years of extended supervision for witness intimidation. He was credited 882 days served for bail jumping.
