*UPDATE* DOJ Slaps Suspect in Iryna Zarutska’s Murder With Federal Charge

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she told attorneys to charge DeCarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of murdering Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, NC, on the federal level.

Bondi wrote on X:

Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people.I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable crime, and he will never again see the light of day as a free man.

Brown faces one federal charge: 18 U.S. Code § 1992(a)(7) & (b)(1) Terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system.

  • 18 U.S. Code § 1992(a)(7): commits an act, including the use of a dangerous weapon, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person who is on property described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (4).
  • 18 U.S. Code § 1992(b)(1): the railroad on-track equipment or mass transportation vehicle was carrying a passenger or employee at the time of the offense.
  • Fox News reported that “Brown was previously charged with first-degree murder in state court.”

    Authorities arrested Brown 14 times since 2007. He faced charges “ranging from assault and firearms possession to felony robbery and larceny.”

    Brown should have been in jail instead of the bus with Zarutska.

    North Carolina Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes released Brown on cashless bail because he promised to show up for court after he was arrested for misusing the 911 system.

    From WSET:

    Brown, 34, was arrested January 19 for “misuse of the 911 system.” He had called 911 in the middle of police officers conducting a welfare check on him. During the encounter, Brown, diagnosed with schizophrenia, told officers that he believed there was “man-made” materials inside his body controlling his eating, walking and talking.“Brown wanted officers to investigate this ‘man-made’ material that was inside of his body,” the affidavit said. “Officers advised Brown that the issue was medical issue and that there was nothing further they could do.”The officers’ response angered Brown, leading him to call 911 with officers arresting him on the spot. Brown was charged with a Misdemeanor Class 1.

    [Featured image via X]

    Tags: Crime, DOJ, North Carolina, Pam Bondi

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