Ryan Routh's bomb bust and illegal gun use in the assassination plot of Trump are exposed.

According to a retired officer who had over 100 interactions with Routh, the man who was named as a suspect in the assassination attempt against former President Trump on Sunday, went from being a successful roofer to believing that the IRS was sending the police after him.

In North Carolina, Routh's arrest record includes charges ranging from writing bad checks to possessing a weapon of mass destruction, specifically a "binary explosive with a 10-in[ch] detonation cord and a blasting cap," between the 1980s and 2010.

"Eric Rasecke, a retired Greensboro Police Department officer and Air Force veteran, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Routh believed he was superior to everyone else. He had the power to do as he pleased, and he was entitled to it. Routh often boasted about his ability to get away with anything and how he owned a successful business, giving him the freedom to do as he pleased. He was well-connected in Greensboro and believed no one could stop him."

In the late 1990s, Rasecke first encountered Routh during a traffic stop.

Rasecke stated that he would see Routh frequently riding his company trucks since he lived and worked within his patrol area.

"He would drive right by you and smile. … We got on a first-name basis." — Eric Rasecke, retired Greensboro PD officer

"Routh's repeated use of a vehicle with an expired license and registration was brazen, and he was often cited many times a week, according to Rascecke. He never tried to hide it."

Over time, Rasecke noticed that Routh was using drugs and his physical appearance reflected it as he lost weight and became more paranoid.

Over time, Rasecke observed a transformation in Routh, who initially faced minor traffic violations but eventually faced more serious charges such as hit-and-run, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen goods, and ultimately, weapon of mass destruction charges. In many instances where Routh was accused of multiple offenses related to a single incident, his defenders would successfully have charges dismissed or dropped due to his lack of danger and the fact that his crimes did not result in injury.

"He liked to run his mouth and play the victim." — Eric Rasecke

In December 2002, Routh barricaded himself inside his business on Lee Street with a semi-automatic rifle after being pulled over. The incident lasted approximately three hours before Routh surrendered and was apprehended without incident, as reported by The Greensboro News & Record at the time.

Rasceke remembered the barricade incident, where negotiators arrived and special teams were activated. After several hours of negotiations, he surrendered himself.

The retired officer stated that the flagrant, above-the-law mentality of the individual led to the city pursuing him due to his problems, the police frequently targeting him, drugs potentially affecting his mind, and the issue of him barricading himself inside a business should have raised a red flag on his name.

"the issue of him barricading himself inside the business…should have put a red flag on his name…"

Despite the fact that Routh's roofing company, United Roofing, is no longer in operation, remnants of the business can still be found in a vacant lot on Husbands Street. It was on what was previously called Lee Street that Routh barricaded himself two decades ago. According to those who knew him, Routh relocated to Hawaii years ago.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Timothy Pruitt, the branch manager of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., had multiple interactions with Routh as his business was growing.

"I guaruntee he could have been a millionaire by now if he hadn't gone off the rails." — Timothy Pruitt

At one time, Pruitt had "90 people working for him," Routh stated.

Routh was described as a "nice" guy by Pruitt when they knew each other in Greensboro. Later, Pruitt learned that Routh had moved from Greensboro to Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii before his most recent home state.

Recently, Pruitt discovered that Routh had been frequently posting about politics and the Russia-Ukraine war on Facebook. Although he considered messaging Routh at the time, he ultimately decided against it. On Sunday, when Pruitt saw Routh's photo on television in connection with a suspected assassination attempt against Trump, he was shocked.

Pruitt recalled saying, "Wow, that's insane!"

Daniel Redford, president of the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Routh is "one of many individuals with similar criminal records," but what worries him most is that Redford had access to firearms despite being a repeat convicted felon.

"If he’s a convicted felon, how did he have a gun in the first place?"  — Daniel Redford

"Law enforcement officials consider a person with an extensive record as a red flag from a safety perspective, according to Redford. However, there are many individuals with a history of violence who have turned over a new leaf. It is essential to exercise caution when interacting with such individuals."

Redford believes that stronger punishments are necessary for felons who possess weapons.

It's not surprising to see a copycat assassination suspect after the first attempt on the former president's life at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, said Redford.

"We are currently experiencing a highly volatile political climate. Redfrod stated, "It's just, and I don't want to be insensitive, but it seems like this is bringing out all the crazies." Both sides are responsible for inciting violence and aggression. People do it for the excitement and attention, and I can't comprehend what motivates them."

Brett Rosen, a criminal defense attorney, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that he believes Routh's criminal history should not have been a warning sign for law enforcement.

"According to Rosen, there is no evidence that Routh had threatened to harm President Trump in the past or recent past. The real concern is that Routh was at the golf course for 12 hours, and it is difficult to believe that the Secret Service or law enforcement conducted a precursory sweep of the course before he played. If they had, they would have likely discovered Routh at the location where the Secret Service agent opened fire on him."

If authorities have enough evidence, they may charge Routh with attempted murder in the near future, according to Rosen.