Former US President Donald Trump and his co-defendants are expected to be booked at a county jail in Georgia for their racketeering charges. This is a departure from the usual courthouse processing that Trump has experienced in his other criminal cases. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office announced the decision, stating that the defendants could turn themselves in at the local jail at any time. However, this plan is subject to change due to the unprecedented nature of the case.
According to the statement released by the sheriff’s office, it is expected that all 19 defendants named in the indictment, including Trump, will be booked at the Rice Street Jail. The facility is open 24/7, providing flexibility for the booking process.
This booking procedure differs from Trump’s other ongoing criminal cases, where he has been processed inside courthouses. During the booking process, defendants are typically photographed and fingerprinted. Although Trump was not required to provide mugshots for his previous lawsuits, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat stated that he planned to take a photo of the ex-president for the racketeering case. Labat emphasized that regardless of someone’s status, the sheriff’s office has a mugshot ready for them, and they will follow their normal practices.
Recently, Trump and several of his allies were hit with a sweeping 41-count indictment, alleging their involvement in a conspiracy to invalidate Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential race. Among the charges is a felony racketeering count, along with counts for conspiracy to interfere in an election, perjury, and soliciting a public official to violate their oath.
This indictment marks Trump’s fourth criminal case this year alone. Previously, federal prosecutors charged him with mishandling classified material after leaving the White House in 2021. He also faces charges in New York related to an alleged hush-money scheme with porn actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign. Additionally, a separate election-interference case is being led by special counsel Jack Smith, who is also overseeing the classified documents trial.
Trump, who has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential contest, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in each case. He claims to be the target of a politically motivated “witch hunt” that began during his own presidency.
The booking of Trump and his co-defendants at a county jail in Georgia symbolizes the gravity of the charges they face. As the legal proceedings continue, the public will closely monitor the developments and the impact they may have on Trump’s political ambitions.
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