Alleged Would-Be Trump Assassin Wrote Letter Stating Intent To Kill Him: Feds

Ahead of a detention hearing Monday, federal prosecutors revealed that Ryan Wesley Routh, the 58-year-old man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his golf course in Florida, allegedly wrote a letter months earlier declaring his intent to kill the former president.

The note was a focal point for prosecutors urging a judge to detain Routh ahead of trial following the Sept. 15 incident.

The letter — which was addressed “Dear World” — states plainly that it was “an assassination attempt on Donald Trump” and continued with an apology, stating he was “so sorry I failed you” and “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster.”

Court records obtained by HuffPost Monday indicate that witnesses told investigators Routh left a box at the home of a witness containing the ammunition as well as a metal pipe, phones and the letter months ago.

Prosecutors allege that a Secret Service agent said he spotted the long black barrel of a rifle sticking out from the trees just ahead of the holes where the former president was playing golf earlier this month at his West Palm Beach club. Routh was seen fleeing the scene by a witness and then driving away.

He was arrested the same day after police spotted him driving a black Nissan Xterra SUV with a Florida license plate on a nearby highway. He was alone in the vehicle. Sheriffs told reporters that he was emotionless when he was pulled over. He was charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon as well as a possessing a firearm where the serial number has been obliterated.

Additional charges could be possible in the days ahead.

According to prosecutors, the box that was left at the home of the “civilian witness” was not opened until