Federal charge for man accused of attacking a federal judge clerk
Federal authorities on Friday announced charges against a Chicago man accused of punching a federal court clerk earlier this week outside the Dirksen Federal Building in the Loop.
Chicago police arrested Joshua Rowell, 36, on Tuesday afternoon, about an hour after authorities said he approached the clerk from behind and punched her in the side of the face, sending her tumbling to the ground, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The clerk, whom authorities didn't identify, was taken to an area hospital for treatment for a concussion. Authorities did not indicate whether the attack was unprovoked, but the attack was captured on surveillance video.
A federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court charges Rowell with one count of forcible assault of a federal employee, which is punishable by up to eight years in federal prison, authorities said.
The charges stem from the clerk working in her official capacity as a federal employee when she was struck, authorities said. Rowell remained in law enforcement custody and his first federal court appearance hadn't been scheduled as of Friday evening.
'Under my leadership, there will be zero tolerance for attacks against federal employees or attacks at the federal courthouse or any other federal government building or land in the Northern District of Illinois,' U.S. Attorney Boutros said in a statement.
'Our federal employees and the people of the Northern District of Illinois deserve to be able to go to and from work and enjoy all that downtown and Chicagoland have to offer without looking over their shoulders out of fear of being attacked. When assailants cross the line, they will be swiftly prosecuted to the full extent of the law.'
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