Threat To Kill Trump? Utah Man Arrested With Guns

A Utah man was charged in federal court Wednesday after he was found driving with six firearms in his truck, allegedly en route to kill President Donald Trump last month.

William Scott Wheeler, 56, was pulled over by a Carbon County Sheriff’s Office deputy on Aug. 25 because his vehicle’s headlights were obscured with a blanket. Deputy William Marinoni looked through an open window and found a shotgun, two pistols, a revolver, two long guns and ammunition in the back of the truck.

When asked why he needed the weapons, Wheeler remained silent. The silence prompted the official to ask if he was fine to which he said he wasn’t. He also told the official “He thought he would have made it further without being arrested."

When asked why he thought he would be arrested, Wheeler said he suspected the Secret Service would be looking for him as he had sent “messages” to the White House.

“They need to fix the problem, or I’m going to fix the problem,” Wheeler told the officer when asked about why he had the guns.

Wheeler also admitted he consumed a pint of liquor over the course of four or five hours before driving. When the officer told him he was in no condition to drive, Wheeler said, “I think I’m going to kill the president,” the court documents said.

According to the document, Wheeler continued speaking about killing the president throughout the booking process, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Wheeler appeared in the district court on Wednesday and was charged with “one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a restricted person on account of having bought the firearms outside Utah and bringing them into the state,” Fox News reported.

Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for Utah’s U.S. attorney’s office, said Wheeler was a resident of Price, Utah. He did not make it out of the city before he was arrested. She said there is a possibility of him being charged with additional offenses when he goes in front of a grand jury.

However, she declined to comment on the assassination plot. However, she said, “We thought the totality of the case, the fact that someone had six guns, and the fact that a Secret Service agent signed the complaint tells you that it’s a case we do take seriously.”

According to records, he was sent to the Tooele County Jail and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Magistrate Judge Paul M. Warner said Wheeler must remain in custody until the case is resolved.

Wheeler has two previous felony convictions — a vehicle theft in 1984 and another theft in 1989.