One of Trump’s co-conspirators, lone Black man, remains in jail

Following a tumultuous week of bookings at the Rice Street jail in Fulton County, former President Donald J. Trump and alleged accomplices in his RICO charges have made their appearances and departures, with one notable exception. Harrison William Prescott Floyd III is the sole individual among Donald Trump’s 18 co-defendants who remains in custody after being booked in connection with the election subversion case.

Despite others in the case having been fingerprinted, photographed, and bonded out by local bail bonds businesses, Floyd III, the only Black man among the defendants, continues to be held behind bars in Fulton County, and his release does not appear imminent.

It appears that Floyd III, unlike the other defendants in the case, did not have legal representation, nor did he reach a bond agreement with prosecutors before surrendering. His failure in those regards did not matter as he learned during his initial court appearance on Friday that he would be remaining in the Fulton County Jail because the judge considered him to be a potential flight risk. Floyd bristled at the suggestion that he might not return for future court proceedings. As he was getting his arms around that blow, he was dealt another significant punch when he was denied a public defender. During his hearing, Floyd indicated to the judge that he did not have an attorney. He mentioned that legal representation was prohibitively expensive and expressed concerns about burdening his family with such significant debt. The judge informed Floyd that he did not qualify for a public defender, and his request was denied.

Some say that while the former commander in chief, Trump, has no military background, there is a saying he should remember: “Never leave a man behind,” particularly if that man possesses information that could be damaging to you and the others involved in this alleged RICO scheme.

Floyd is facing racketeering charges connected to his alleged role in harassing Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman, along with co-defendants Stephen Lee and Trevian Kutti. In addition to these racketeering charges, he is also accused of conspiracy to solicit false statements and influencing a witness in the same case.

Floyd also finds himself in trouble with federal authorities, which is contributing to his continued incarceration. He is confronting charges in Maryland as part of a separate federal investigation related to Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Specifically, he faces a charge of simple assault against a federal officer. This charge stems from an incident in February when two FBI agents attempted to serve Floyd with a grand jury subpoena related to the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation into Trump’s election activities.

According to an affidavit filed on May 3 in U.S. District Court in Maryland, Floyd reportedly reacted with anger when approached by FBI agents at his apartment building in Rockville, Maryland. His response involved charging at the agents, using strong language, and physically bumping into one of them with enough force to knock the agent backward. This incident led to the simple assault charge filed against him in Maryland. If convicted on this federal charge, Floyd could spend a year behind bars.

During the confrontation with federal officials, Floyd reportedly shouted, “I have a daughter.” This statement could be seen as a significant factor in his situation, as it might indicate his willingness to prioritize his family and responsibilities over his loyalty to Trump and the others.

Given the legal challenges he’s facing both in Georgia and Maryland, some observers have suggested that his concern for his family could be an opportune moment for Floyd to explore the possibility of an immunity deal. Pursuing an immunity deal could be a wise move for Floyd and maybe the only move he has. Despite his claim of lacking funds for an attorney, he may still be able to negotiate with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who might view Floyd’s cooperation as a valuable asset in her pursuit of justice. Such a deal could potentially provide him with a way to cooperate with authorities in exchange for reduced charges or protection from prosecution. This, in turn, could enable him to reunite with his family sooner.

Ultimately, it will be Floyd’s choice. Whether he chooses to pursue an immunity deal with the DA or take his chances in court, one thing is for certain, Floyd can think about it as he continues to enjoy the quaint comforts and southern hospitality of Fulton County’s Rice Street jail.