JOSHUA ROWELL, Assaulting Federal Employee, Illinois 2024

A brutal assault left a federal employee reeling outside the Dirksen Federal Building in downtown Chicago on Tuesday afternoon. JOSHUA ROWELL, 36, of Chicago, has been charged with assaulting the victim, who suffered a concussion and received treatment at a Chicago hospital.

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Rowell approached the victim from behind and punched her on the side of her face, sending her stumbling into the street onto Jackson Boulevard. The force of the punch was so great that it left the victim with a concussion.

The victim was working in her official capacity as a federal employee at the time of the assault, which is punishable by a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison. Rowell was arrested by Chicago Police about an hour after the alleged assault and remains detained in law enforcement custody.

U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros vowed to take a hard stance against attacks on federal employees and at federal courthouses. “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,” he said.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Maione. A complaint is not evidence of guilt, and Rowell is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. His initial appearance in federal court has not yet been scheduled.

U.S. Attorney Boutros has taken steps to increase public safety in the Northern District of Illinois, including the creation of new Project Safe Neighborhoods enforcement zones in the economic centers of Chicago and the entire rail system operated by the Chicago Transit Authority.

The public is reminded that U.S. Attorney Boutros is committed to protecting the people of the Northern District of Illinois and ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable.

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