The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged Joshua Rowell, 36, with assaulting a federal employee outside the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when Rowell allegedly approached the victim from behind and punched her in the face, causing her to stumble into Jackson Boulevard. According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, the victim was working in her official capacity as a federal judiciary employee at the time of the attack.
The victim sustained a concussion and received medical treatment at a local hospital. Chicago Police apprehended Rowell about an hour after the alleged assault. He is currently detained and faces one count of forcible assault of a federal employee, which carries a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. A date for his initial court appearance has not been set.
The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; LaDon A. Reynolds, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois; and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Maione is representing the government.
U.S. Attorney Boutros emphasized zero tolerance for such attacks: “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 stated.
Boutros also reminded that new Project Safe Neighborhoods enforcement zones have been established this month in Chicago’s economic centers and across its rail system operated by the Chicago Transit Authority—a first nationwide initiative.
It is important to note that a complaint is not proof of guilt; Rowell remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
