US DOJ Federalizes Charges Against Repeat Offender in Murder of Ukrainian Immigrant

Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to charge DeCarlos Brown Jr. with murder in the brutal stabbing death of 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train. Brown, a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crimes, was previously released multiple times due to what Bondi and others describe as failed soft-on-crime policies. Bondi emphasized that the federal prosecution will seek the maximum penalty, ensuring Brown will never be free again, and criticized local judges and prosecutors for allowing him to remain free despite his criminal record. FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson, emotionally addressing the federal charges, reaffirmed the FBI's commitment to justice and public safety, with Patel highlighting President Trump's dedication to restoring safety in American cities. Surveillance footage revealed Brown stabbed Zarutska multiple times from behind, and if convicted, he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty. The Department of Justice's intervention underscores the administration's stance on cracking down on violent crime and holding repeat offenders accountable.