In a stunning series of developments, Oran Routh, the son of Ryan Routh—who is accused of plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Florida golf course—was arrested on September 24 for possession of child pornography. Prosecutors are preparing to file charges for both possession and receipt of images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Court documents provided by the FBI reveal that during a search of Oran Routh’s home in Greensboro, North Carolina, on September 21, agents uncovered hundreds of disturbing images related to this crime. Initially, the investigation was not connected to child exploitation but became linked to his father’s alleged assassination plot against Trump, which occurred on September 15.
According to FBI agents, Oran Routh received videos on his devices in July via a messaging platform often used by those sharing child exploitation materials. He now faces two charges regarding the possession and receipt of these materials, with a court appearance scheduled in federal court in North Carolina. Court documents do not indicate that he has legal representation, and attempts by the Associated Press to reach out to his family have gone unanswered.
In the meantime, his father, Ryan Routh, has been charged with violating federal firearms regulations, with prosecutors signaling their intent to pursue more serious attempted murder charges. A federal judge ruled on September 24 that Ryan Routh will remain in custody until his trial.
Prosecutors allege that Ryan Routh developed a detailed plan for the assassination, which included a handwritten itinerary outlining when and where Trump would be. This plan reportedly lay hidden in a box at another person’s home for several months before it was discovered following his arrest.
It’s noteworthy that Ryan Routh has a prior criminal record, which includes felony convictions for possession of stolen property in North Carolina in 2002 and for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
