The Department of Justice has weighed in on the tragic stabbing of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DOJ announced on Thursday that Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. will face federal charges in the brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska. AG Pam Bondi hinted Brown will more than likely face the death penalty after she shared the DOJ will seek the “maximum penalty”. Fox News broke the DOJ’s big announcement: Federal authorities announced Tuesday that Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., the suspect in the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train, has been federally charged with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the DOJ will seek the maximum penalty for Brown, saying that the Aug. 22 attack was a “direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people.” “I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder,” she said. “We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man.” “The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “The FBI jumped to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure justice is served, and the perpetrator is never released from jail to kill again. I want to thank Attorney General Bondi for her pursuit of today’s federal charges, which are the first step toward delivering justice for Iryna and her family – as well as the millions of Americans who deserve to live in our great American cities free from being targeted by violent criminals.” Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people. I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with… — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) September 9, 2025 CBS Austin reported had a lengthy criminal past: The suspect accused of stabbing a Ukrainian refugee on the lightrail in Charlotte, North Carolina, has a long criminal record dating back to 2011. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with first-degree murder for killing a 23-year-old woman on August 22. Brown is currently under a ‘no bond’ order. Brown has been arrested at least 14 times, on account of felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault, shoplifting and making threats, according to documents reviewed by the New York Post. WSOC-TV reported that the suspect is homeless, having previously served a five-year sentence for robbery with a deadly weapon in 2014. Director of the FBI Kash Patel also chimed in: The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America. The @FBI immediately surged into action to ensure justice is served and to make clear that violent criminals will never be allowed to walk free again. President Trump is committed… pic.twitter.com/0mq30pD0xS — FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 9, 2025 Full post: The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America. The FBI immediately surged into action to ensure justice is served and to make clear that violent criminals will never be allowed to walk free again. President Trump is committed to restoring safety to every American city, and I want to thank  AG Pam Bondi for delivering the federal charges that will hold this perpetrator accountable.