Pennsylvania Man Charged With Decapitating Father, Flaunts Crime on Youtube

Police in Pennsylvania have released new details in the case of a 32-year-old man who was charged earlier this week with killing and decapitating his father after displaying the severed head in a YouTube video.

How the Brutal Killing Unfolded

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said during a press conference Friday that Justin Daniel Mohn was acting with a “clear mind” when he killed and dismembered his father, Michael Mohn, at their home in Middletown Township, just north of Philadelphia. The 68-year-old worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Daniel Mohn lived at home with his parents.

According to Schorn, Michael Mohn’s wife arrived home on Tuesday night to find her husband’s death, then went to a neighbor’s house and contacted 911. When police arrived, they discovered a decapitated “elderly male in the downstairs bathroom with a large amount of blood around him.” A machete and a huge knife were found in the bathtub, while a head “wrapped in Saran Wrap” was recovered in the adjacent room.

Mohn’s wife informed authorities that she had left at 2 p.m. and that her husband and son were the only ones at the house. She also stated that her husband’s Toyota Corolla was missing when she returned.

A Scary YouTube Video

Around the same time, police received numerous calls informing them of a disturbing 14-and-a-half-minute video posted to YouTube in which Justin Mohn displayed Michael Mohn’s severed head while claiming his father was a “traitor to his country” and urging members of “Mohn’s militia” and “patriots around the country” to take up arms against other federal employees, including a federal judge whose address he revealed.

Schorn stated that the video had been viewed at least 5,000 times before it was taken down. After reviewing the YouTube video, investigators established that “the gloves, decapitated head, and room are the same as depicted in the video,” according to the affidavit.

In a statement Wednesday, YouTube stated that “the video was removed for violating our graphic violence policy” and that Mohn’s YouTube channel was “terminated in line with our violent extremism policies.”

“Our teams are closely tracking to remove any re-uploads of the video,” the corporation added.

The Suspect Fled to a Military Base

Schorn stated that authorities were able to swiftly ping Justin Mohn’s smartphone and identify the missing vehicle, which had gone past obstacles at a military station in Fort Indiantown Gap, roughly 110 miles west of Middletown Township.

According to Schorn, Mohn abandoned his truck, went over a barbed wire fence, and entered the base, where he was apprehended. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying a loaded 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun with one bullet missing, according to Schorn. He had legally purchased the firearm the day before the killing and had even given his medical marijuana license to do so.

Mohn told officials that he had gone to the outpost “to mobilize the Pa. National Guard to raise arms against the federal government,” and that he was attempting to contact Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to urge the state to back the mission.

Autopsy Reveals Beheading Following Deadly Gunfire

An autopsy performed on Thursday revealed that Michael Mohn died of a gunshot wound to the head and that his head was then severed with a machete. Justin Mohn was promptly charged with murder and abuse of his father’s corpse. He is being held without bail at a Bucks County correctional facility.

Schorn stated that he has no prior diagnoses of mental health difficulties.

“It was plain to us that he was of clear mind in his goal,” she stated, adding, “There is a complete and utter distinction between what we would consider ‘that person’s crazy’ and legal insanity. And it will be clear when we prosecute this case.”

The Suspect Had Little History With Police

During the press conference, Middletown Township Police verified that they had three previous contacts with the subject, but none resulted in charges.

In 2011, police were called to Justin Mohn’s home following a reported fight with a neighbor. In 2019, Mohn reported receiving a threat from Progressive Insurance regarding a case he had filed against the corporation. In 2023, Mohn’s employer in Philadelphia contacted police in Middletown Township to express “concern” and seek advice on terminating him. The employer was referred to independent legal counsel and the Philadelphia police department.