LAS VEGAS (CN) — Would-be Donald Trump assassin Michael Steven Sandford on Tuesday pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and impeding and disrupting government business and official functions.
Sandford, 20, of England, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James Mahan, about a week after a court-approved meeting with his mother and two attorneys.
At his Dec. 13 sentencing he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each county. But the plea agreement drops the charge of illegal alien in possession of a firearm, enabling Sandford's likely deportation to England and permanent banishment from the United States.
Sandford last week met with his mother, Lynda Sandford, co-counsel Brenda Weksler and UK repatriation attorney Saimo Chahal, a partner at Bindmans LLP in the UK and an expert in international law, public law and human rights. Chahal also is a part-time Mental Health Tribunal judge.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, Sandford, whose tourist visa had expired on Aug. 30, 2015, took shooting lessons at a Las Vegas gun range on June 17.
On June 18, Sandford, of Dorking, Surrey, attended a Trump rally at the Mystere Theatre in the Treasure Island Casino. He approached a uniformed Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer and "using both hands, seized the officer's Glock 9 millimeter handgun and attempted to pull it from the holster," according to U.S. attorney.
Sandford was immediately arrested, by police and the Secret Service.
Sandford has Asperger's syndrome, a type of autism, but his attorney Weksler said he is competent to stand trial. Judge Mahan on Tuesday said Sandford is competent to enter his plea.
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