Who is Oran Routh? Trump’s would-be assassin’s son arrested on underage porn charges

Oran Routh Arrested for Child Pornography

Photo: Twitter

Oran Alexander Routh, the son of Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate the former president Donald Trump in Florida, was arrested this week on federal charges of possessing child sexual abuse images.

Hundreds of files containing evidence of child sexual abuse were found in Orange Routh‘s home in Greensboro, North Carolina, during a search that led to his arrest. The FBI agent’s court documents state that the search was part of an unrelated investigation. Routh faces two charges related to possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material.

Research and evidence found

There was no connection between the search of Oran Routh’s home and child exploitation. However, several electronic devices containing pornographic content were seized by investigators. The FBI agent assigned to the investigation testified that they discovered recordings of conversations on a messaging app often used to exchange child sexual abuse content, as well as films that had been given to Oran Routh in July.

It is still not known what exactly was viewed before Routh’s home was searched. Oran Routh is scheduled to appear in federal court in North Carolina later Tuesday. Court documents do not list representation for him, and attempts to contact his family have not been returned.

Link to attempted assassination of Trump

Considering that his father, Ryan Wesley Routh, is accused of assassinating former President Donald Trump earlier this month, Oran Routh’s arrest adds an extra layer of intrigue to his family. Ryan Routh was arrested on September 15 at Trump’s Florida golf course after a member of the Secret Service saw him brandish a semi-automatic weapon at the former president.

Ryan Routh left a note detailing his plan to kill Trump, prosecutors said. It wasn’t until after he was taken to jail that the note, which had been left in a box that had been left with an anonymous person months before his arrest, was found. Investigators also discovered a handwritten list of Trump’s expected appearance dates and locations.

Federal weapons charges and possible murder charges

Despite multiple felony convictions, Ryan Routh currently faces federal weapons charges, including illegally carrying a handgun with an obliterated serial number. His prior convictions include two felony stealing charges in North Carolina in 2002.

Prosecutors, however, indicated that more serious charges, including attempted murder, are inevitable. A prosecutor said during a court hearing Monday that Ryan Routh will be indicted by a grand jury on additional crimes. If Routh is convicted of attempted murder of a prominent political figure, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Before filing more serious charges, prosecutors often try to file less serious charges first in order to get an arrest. This tendency is clearly visible in Ryan Routh’s case, as the prosecution continues to gather evidence against him.

Arrest at Trump’s Florida Golf Course

During a security check at Trump International Golf Club, a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a gun pointed at Trump and a man whose face was partially obscured. This led to the arrest of Ryan Routh. After being shot by the agent, Routh ran from the scene but was later found in a nearby county. A loaded handgun, a digital camera, a backpack and a reusable shopping bag were found dangling from a nearby fence by officials.

In agreement with Justice Department prosecutors, a federal judge ordered Monday that Ryan Routh remain in custody until his trial. The case is expected to move forward with additional charges in the coming weeks.

Oran Routh’s Legal Troubles

Although Oran Routh’s legal situation is evolving independently of his father’s, it highlights the growing attention on the Routh family. His charges are based on data discovered on his computer devices, and as police investigate the case further, more lawsuits are likely to follow.

ABC News first reported Oran Routh’s arrest on Tuesday. Federal investigators are still investigating the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material in this case.