Erie man Paul Howard Scalf, 48, punched out a window at the Erie Federal Courthouse Complex on December 23, 2017, shattering glass and triggering a federal investigation, according to a newly unsealed indictment.
The attack, which targeted the southwest side of the heavily secured facility, caused more than $1,000 in damage—immediately drawing scrutiny from federal law enforcement. Scalf was named in a one-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Erie, charging him with willfully injuring U.S. property.
The charge, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Authorities made it clear: assaulting federal infrastructure is not a minor offense.
According to court documents, Scalf’s actions were deliberate and destructive. No motive has been publicly disclosed, but investigators from the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Protective Service gathered evidence leading to the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting the case.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, any punishment will hinge on the severity of the crime and Scalf’s criminal history. A prior record, if any, could significantly increase time behind bars. For now, Scalf remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The Erie Federal Courthouse Complex serves as a key hub for federal judicial operations in northwest Pennsylvania. Attacks on federal property are treated as direct challenges to the rule of law—prompting swift action from prosecutors and investigators alike.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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