Federal authorities have intensified charges against a Cincinnati man accused in a July 26 mob attack that gained national attention after footage of the incident went viral. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that 34-year-old Montanez Merriweather has now been indicted on a federal firearms charge, potentially adding up to 15 years to the time he could serve if convicted.

Prosecutors say Merriweather illegally possessed a firearm despite having a prior felony conviction, making it a federal offense. The charge was filed after investigators reviewed his criminal history and evidence gathered during the initial assault investigation.

Before federal intervention, Merriweather had already been arrested on multiple state charges tied to the violent attack on a man and woman outside a downtown Cincinnati music festival. The shocking footage, widely shared on social media, shows a group of individuals surrounding a white male victim, knocking him to the ground, and repeatedly punching and kicking him. When a white woman attempted to intervene, she was struck in the face and appeared to lose consciousness instantly.

“These kinds of violent acts tear at the fabric of our communities,” U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II said in announcing the new indictment. “Anyone who engages in violence can expect rigorous scrutiny, and those who violate federal criminal law will be held accountable.”

At the state level, Merriweather faces a combination of assault, felonious assault, and aggravated riot charges. Together, those counts could result in nearly 30 years in prison if he is convicted. The federal firearm charge, added this week, substantially increases his potential sentencing exposure.

ATF officials emphasized that the agency is prepared to use every available tool when dealing with violent offenders. “Violence, in any form and under any circumstance, has no place in a civilized society,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Thomas Greco stated. “When necessary, the ATF will work alongside local and federal partners to identify, apprehend, and remove dangerous offenders from our communities.”

The dramatic video of the attack ignited widespread outrage and prompted swift reactions from both state and national leaders. The footage circulated rapidly, leading to public demands for accountability and a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault.

In response to the uproar, the FBI opened an investigation at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi after Vice President JD Vance publicly condemned the violence and called for aggressive prosecution.

“What I saw was a mob of lawless thugs beating up an innocent person, and it’s disgusting,” Vance said in a press briefing. “I hope every single individual involved in this violence is prosecuted to the full extent of the law — and they will be, so long as Ohio law enforcement does their job.”

He continued by addressing the assault on the female victim in particularly strong terms. “A grown man sucker-punched a middle-aged woman. Where I come from, someone who does that deserves to go to jail for a very long time.”

Vance also used the incident to highlight increasing concerns about crime in major U.S. cities. “Too many Americans are avoiding downtown areas because they fear violence,” he said. “If you want to take your family out for a meal, you shouldn’t have to worry about street attacks. The only way to stop this kind of lawlessness is to take the people committing these violent acts and put them behind bars.”

The remarks drew significant attention and were widely shared online, adding to the national conversation about violent crime, public safety, and the judicial system’s response.

However, not everyone in local government reacted the same way. Cincinnati City Council President Pro Tem Victoria Parks offered a controversial perspective, writing in a Facebook comment that the victims “begged for that beat down,” adding, “I am grateful for the whole story.” Her remarks generated immediate backlash, with critics accusing her of excusing violence and further inflaming tensions.

While investigators have not released a full account of what led to the confrontation, officials say the attack shown on video remains unacceptable regardless of its origin. Law enforcement sources also noted that additional charges could be filed against others involved as the investigation continues.

For now, Merriweather remains the primary defendant in the case, facing a combination of state and federal charges that could place him behind bars for decades. Federal prosecutors say the added firearm charge reflects their commitment to ensuring violent offenders are fully held to account.

“As this investigation moves forward,” U.S. Attorney Gerace said, “we will continue to pursue justice for the victims and safety for the broader community.”