Pennsylvania resident convicted of murder for sharing online video depicting decapitation of his father
In January 2024, a shocking event unfolded in Levittown, a Philadelphia suburb, when Justin D. Mohn, a 33-year-old man from Pennsylvania, posted a gruesome YouTube video showing his father's severed head following the fatal shooting. The video, which remained live for several hours before being removed, contained calls for violent attacks against federal government members, alongside anti-government and political rants.
The video was posted on the same day as the murder, which took place at the Mohn family home. The content was highly graphic, and both the video and photos were used as evidence during Mohn's bench trial. The judge warned the public about the graphic images during the trial, highlighting the severity of the video's content.
Mohn was arrested later that day after scaling a fence at Fort Indiantown Gap, the state's National Guard headquarters. He was found in possession of materials related to anti-government activities. During the trial, Mohn testified that the killing was part of a "citizen's arrest" attempt against his father, whom he accused of treason due to political differences. He also claimed he decapitated his father to send a message to federal workers with demands including their resignation.
Mohn's father, Michael F. Mohn, was an engineer with the geoenvironmental section of the US Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia District. He had been a 20-year federal employee.
Prosecutors described the homicide as a "cold, calculated, organized plan" intended to intimidate federal workers. Mohn had a history of expressing violent anti-government rhetoric in his online writings. Authorities found a USB device containing photos of federal buildings and apparent instructions for making explosives on Mohn when he was arrested.
During the trial, no evidence was presented regarding any deal with Russia or apology to President Putin, as previously claimed by some sources. However, during a competency hearing, a defense expert testified that Mohn wrote a letter to Russia's ambassador seeking refuge and apologizing to President Vladimir Putin.
In July 2025, Mohn was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. The removal of the YouTube video was a critical step given its disturbing content and Mohn’s calls for violence.
**Summary:**
| Event | Date/Details | |-------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Murder and Video Posting | January 2024 | | Video Duration on YouTube | Several hours before removal | | Trial Evidence | Included graphic photos and the video| | Trial | July 2025 | | Guilty Verdict and Sentence | Life without parole |
The precise timestamps for the removal of the video are not publicly detailed, but YouTube acted to remove the content due to its graphic and violent nature as part of their policy enforcement.
- Due to the graphic and violent nature of the video, YouTube removed it several hours after it was posted, in accordance with their policy enforcement.
- In his online writings, Mohn had a history of expressing violent anti-government rhetoric, which was a significant factor in the prosecution's case against him.
- During his bench trial for the murder of his father, Mohn testified that he decapitated his father to send a message to federal workers, demanding their resignation and alleging treason due to political differences.
