LAS VEGAS - A federal judge has approved the conditional release of a Las Vegas man who sent threatening letters to President Clinton in 1996.
Richard Lee Trimmer has been receiving mental health treatment at the U.S. Medical Center in Springfield, Mo.
During a Friday hearing in which Trimmer participated by phone from Missouri, U.S. District Judge Philip Pro reviewed the conditions that will govern his release.
Trimmer will not be permitted to travel outside the Las Vegas area without the prior approval of authorities, and he must avoid areas marked by drug activity.
''No problem at all with that,'' Trimmer said.
Trimmer plans to return to Las Vegas and participate in a Salvation Army program. He must continue to take medication and follow all rules of the program.
Trimmer, 31, was indicted in April 1997 on charges of mailing threatening communications and making threats against the president.
Trimmer waived his right to a jury trial and agreed that Pro could find him innocent by reason of insanity. Pro made that finding in November 1997 and ordered authorities to commit Trimmer to a mental health facility.