On Tuesday, Chicago Immigration Judge Carla Espinoza granted bond for the undocumented immigrant who was falsely accused of sending letters threatening to kill President Donald Trump
Ramon Morales-Reyes was arrested on May 22 as a result of the threats and now faces possible deportation.
However, investigators say Demetric Scott, 52, allegedly admitted to framing Morales-Reyes to prevent him from testifying in a criminal case.
According to court documents, Scott sent letters threatening to kill the president to the Attorney General's Office, Milwaukee ICE officials, and Milwaukee police while claiming to be Morales-Reyes. He is now facing multiple felony charges. Scott's preliminary hearing was rescheduled for June 23.
In the wake of Scott's charges, the judge on Tuesday determined that Morales-Reyes does not pose a danger to the public and set removal proceedings for July 10.
Espinoza noted Morales-Reyes' previous arrests in 1996 and said he was only convicted for disorderly conduct.
The judge also pointed out that another individual confessed and has been charged for threat against the president.
Espinoza set Morales-Reyes' bond at $7,500 to ensure his appearance at future court hearings. If Morales-Reyes posts bond before July 10, his case will transfer to a different judge and he will get a new court date.
If Morales-Reyes is still detained by July 10, the current judge will address his removal proceedings.
Watch: Man allegedly framed in Trump threats granted bond, next court date set for July
Morales-Reyes is a husband and father of three children. His attorney says all three children are U.S. citizen.
Anna Morales, Morales-Reyes' daughter, spoke during a press conference organized by Voces de la Frontera Tuesday morning. Anna did not show her face due to safety concerns.
Anna sounded emotional while expressing her gratitude for the judge's decision.
Tuesday was the first time Morales-Reyes family has spoken to news outlets publicly since he was falsely accused.
"Everyone that knows my dad knows right away that he's not capable of writing something like that. I was very broken to it. I had to have a lot of friends make sure I was OK because it was very heartbreaking," Anna said.
She explained that her father would take the family to parks for walks and worked a dishwasher for years to provide for them.
"My dad is not a threat to anyone. He is a good man, who got caught up in a terrible situation, and now that the truth has been proven I ask from the bottom of my heart he gets the justice he deserves," Anna stated.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has until July 10 to appeal the court’s decision.
Tuesday afternoon, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told TMJ4’s Mary Jo Ola that “DHS will continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of illegal aliens who have no right to be in this country.”
In the emailed statement, McLaughlin also said that while Morales-Reyes is no longer under investigation for threats against the president, “he is in the country illegally with previous arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct with domestic abuse,” and that the "Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law and fulfilling the President’s mandate to deport illegal aliens."
Watch: Man charged with framing undocumented immigrant in fake presidential threat case appears in court
Morales-Reyes' legal team publicly addressed the allegations surrounding the letters in late May and have been arguing to pause his deportation order. They are also hoping he will be granted a U visa, which provides protection for undocumented immigrants who assist law enforcement with active criminal cases, or who are victims of serious crimes.
The timeline on when Morales-Reyes will post bond is unclear. If DHS appeals the court order wint
If DHS appeals the bond order within the next day, Morales-Reyes would be kept behind bars while the appeal is adjudicated, his attorney told CNN.
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