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Florida Man Accused of Threatening Trump Faces New Charges After House Arrest Release

 September 25, 2024

A 68-year-old man from Jupiter, Florida, accused of making death threats against former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, has been released from house arrest. Michael Martin Wiseman was arrested in July after authorities found threatening posts on his social media accounts. Court records indicate that he was released on September 17.

Wiseman’s threats came shortly after an assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania on July 13, during which Trump was shot and grazed by a bullet. Wiseman’s posts, reported by concerned citizens, included disturbing imagery directed at both Trump and Vance, Fox News reported.

Threatening Social Media Posts Lead To Charges

The charges against Wiseman arose from his online activity, where he posted inflammatory content threatening Trump and Vance. Investigators found that his Facebook posts displayed Trump’s face in a sniper scope's crosshairs, along with messages calling for their murder. One post stated, "Trump and Vance should be murdered before turning us in to West Russia," while another encouraged violence with, "READY, AIM, FIRE. RINSE AND REPEAT."

After receiving online crime tips about these threats, the Jupiter Police Department launched an investigation. The nature of the threats led to Wiseman being charged with written threats to kill, a serious offense under Florida law.

Error In Pretrial Agreement Leads To New Charges

Although Wiseman initially entered a pretrial intervention program that allowed for the possibility of dropped charges, prosecutors have recently moved to reinstate those charges. The agreement had strict conditions, including a prohibition on firearm ownership, mandatory mental health evaluations, and restrictions on social media use.

However, the state attorney's office vacated the agreement due to an error. According to the prosecutor’s statement, “After obtaining a just resolution to the case with strong conditions placed on the defendant, it became apparent that an incorrect vehicle was used to resolve the case.” The state and Wiseman’s defense have agreed to return the case to the active docket.

Second Assassination Plot Unfolds In Palm Beach

Wiseman’s arrest and release occurred in Palm Beach County, not far from former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. In a separate incident, Ryan Routh reportedly plotted a second assassination attempt on Trump at one of his golf courses in Palm Beach on September 15, just days before Wiseman’s release from house arrest.

While the two cases are unrelated, the proximity and timing of these events have raised concerns about security risks for Trump in his home state. The fact that both incidents took place so close to Trump’s properties has drawn national attention.

Wiseman Faces Reinstated Charges

Prosecutors have made it clear that they are treating Wiseman’s case seriously. Even though he is not considered a flight risk, Wiseman is required to check in with the court regularly while his case is pending. The reinstated charges will hold him accountable for the threats he made against the former president and the senator.

Despite these developments, Wiseman’s attorney has remained silent, declining to comment on the case. Fox News Digital reached out for a statement, but no response was given.

Social Media Threats And Public Safety Concerns

Cases like Wiseman’s highlight the growing concern over online threats escalating into real-life violence. Social media platforms have become hotbeds for extremist rhetoric, pressuring law enforcement to act swiftly to prevent harm. The prompt reporting of Wiseman’s posts by concerned citizens was crucial in his initial arrest.

As more details emerge, this case serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked online speech. The reinstatement of charges against Wiseman underscores the need for vigilance in addressing violent rhetoric.

Pretrial Agreement Issues Raise Legal Questions

The vacating of Wiseman’s pretrial intervention agreement has raised questions about the legal process in such cases. Typically, pretrial interventions allow defendants to avoid criminal prosecution if they meet certain conditions. However, the error in Wiseman’s agreement suggests potential missteps in how the case was handled initially.

It remains unclear what specific errors led to the reinstatement of the charges, but the move by the state attorney’s office suggests that the pretrial resolution was not as secure as intended.

Awaiting The Next Legal Steps

As Wiseman’s case heads back to court, both sides will likely prepare for a lengthy legal battle. Given the nature of the threats and the high-profile targets involved, this case is expected to draw significant public and media attention.

For now, Wiseman remains out of custody but must comply with the court’s conditions. His fate will be determined as the legal proceedings continue in the coming weeks.