The Viral Beating, the Gun, and the Shadows of Justice
Cincinnati Man in Viral Mob Attack Faces Federal Gun Charge, Could See 15 More Years in Prison
A Cincinnati man at the center of a widely circulated video showing a brutal street assault is now facing additional federal charges that could extend his prison sentence by over a decade.
On Wednesday, federal prosecutors announced that 34-year-old Montanez Merriweather has been indicted for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The new federal charge comes on top of local felony charges stemming from a July 26 group attack that was caught on video and quickly went viral.
The footage shows a disturbing scene: a white man is surrounded, thrown to the ground, and repeatedly punched and kicked by several individuals outside a music festival in Cincinnati. As the man tried to recover and get back on his feet, a white woman accompanying him is seen being punched in the face, collapsing instantly and appearing to lose consciousness.
Local law enforcement charged Merriweather shortly after the incident with assault, felonious assault, and aggravated riot, which, if convicted, could carry nearly 30 years in prison. With the new federal firearms charge, his total potential sentence could now exceed 45 years.
Federal Authorities Step In
U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II announced the federal indictment, emphasizing the seriousness of both the incident and Merriweather’s alleged status as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
“There is no place for violence in our communities,” Gerace said in a statement. “Those who commit violent acts can expect to be scrutinized, and they will be held accountable under federal criminal law.”
Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined local authorities in the investigation, citing Merriweather’s prior criminal history and the broader public safety threat posed by violent repeat offenders.
ATF Special Agent Thomas Greco underscored the agency’s commitment to working with local law enforcement.
“Violence, in any form and under any circumstance, has no place in a civilized society,” Greco stated. “We will use every legal tool available to take violent offenders off the streets.”
National Reaction and Outrage
The violent attack sparked nationwide outrage after the footage spread rapidly across social media platforms. Many public figures, including Vice President JD Vance, condemned the violence and called for swift justice.
“What I saw is a mob of lawless thugs beating up on an innocent person, and it’s disgusting,” Vance said during a press briefing. “I hope every single one of those people is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. And they will be—so long as law enforcement in Ohio takes its job seriously.”
Vance added that while he hadn’t seen the full context of the incident, one moment stood out to him:
“A grown man sucker-punched a middle-aged woman. That person ought to go to jail for a very long time,” he said. “We need to restore safety to our cities. Families shouldn’t be afraid to enjoy a meal in downtown Cincinnati, Akron, or Columbus.”
He went on to say that continued lawlessness threatens the vibrancy of American cities, urging leaders to “take the thugs who engage in that violence and throw their a**es in prison.”
Divided Local Response
While many officials have joined in condemning the attack, the reaction hasn’t been unanimous. Cincinnati City Council President Pro Tem Victoria Parks drew attention for a comment she made on social media, suggesting the incident may not have been as one-sided as it appeared in the video.
“They begged for that beat down,” Parks allegedly wrote in a now-deleted Facebook comment. “I am grateful for the whole story.”
Her comment ignited backlash online, with critics accusing her of downplaying or justifying violence. Others argued that the full context of the confrontation had not yet been released to the public, and caution was warranted before drawing conclusions.
As of now, investigators have not provided further details about what led up to the violent encounter.
DOJ’s Position Moving Forward
Under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, the FBI has also launched an investigation into the incident, citing its potential as a racially or politically motivated assault.
“We are committed to prosecuting individuals who commit violence, regardless of motive,” a spokesperson for the DOJ said. “If federal statutes apply, we will not hesitate to act.”
Merriweather remains in custody as he awaits trial on both state and federal charges. If convicted on all counts, he could face more than four decades behind bars.