Justin Mohn, 33, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Friday, July 11, 2025, for the brutal beheading of his father, Michael Mohn, in their Middletown Township home in January 2024. Following the horrific act, Mohn posted a disturbing video on YouTube, displaying his father’s decapitated head and calling for violent attacks against federal government officials.

Common Pleas Judge Stephen A. Corr delivered the guilty verdict after a week-long waiver trial that commenced on Monday. Mohn was also convicted of terrorism, marking the first time a defendant has been found guilty of the crime under Pennsylvania's terrorism statute.

Family's Heartbreaking Testimony

Before sentencing, Michael Mohn’s family delivered emotional statements detailing the profound impact of the murder.

“My whole family feels violated by the defendant’s extremely calculated and premeditated betrayal and from the posting of the horrifying video that he published online for thousands to see,” his daughter Stephanie read in court. “The awareness that my own brother is capable of such atrocities is terrifying; that person we grew up with is long gone.”

Michael F. Mohn, 68, was a respected, long-time federal employee with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was remembered as a loving husband and father who was always there for his children. Notably, he continued to provide significant emotional and financial support to his son Justin, even into his 30s as Justin struggled with unemployment and finding his path. This tireless support underscored Michael's deep, unconditional love.  

On Friday, loved ones, including his children and wife, delivered powerful and eloquent statements about him. They spoke of his love of reading, exercising, and playing the guitar, his sense of humor, and his humility regarding his accomplishments as a civil engineer.

“My parents worked hard to instill a strong set of values in their children: work hard, better ourselves, take care of our family, and be the best we could be at whatever we chose to do,” his son Zachary said. “They ensured that we never wanted for anything, least of all love and support.”

His wife Denice held a photo of her husband when he was honored with the 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Army Corps of Engineers, an award now named after him, as her impact statement was read. She wrote about everything she misses about her husband of nearly 40 years:

“I miss his goofy sense of humor, dinners together, family get-togethers, watching TV in the evenings just the two of us, the love of family and friends we shared, our inside jokes, and our comfortable and content life together. Most of all I miss being his wife and having his arm around my shoulders making me feel safe and unconditionally loved.”

Michael Mohn

Extensive Charges and Premeditation

In addition to the murder conviction, Mohn was found guilty of numerous other charges, including two counts of terrorism, two counts of possession of an instrument of crime, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a weapon, criminal use of a communication facility, terroristic threats, defiant trespassing, and abuse of a corpse.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors meticulously presented their case, arguing that Mohn’s actions stemmed from extensive premeditation and deliberate planning. Investigators with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Middletown Township Police Department thoroughly scoured Mohn’s online history, uncovering a "mountain of evidence" that showed his violent plans.

“They didn't stop at that YouTube video,” First Assistant District Attorney Edward Louka stated in his closing arguments. “They dug deep and found layer upon layer of premeditation.”

Evidence included the chilling YouTube video, DNA evidence, testimony from over 15 law enforcement and civilian witnesses, and Mohn’s handwritten letters and online search history. These materials revealed Mohn’s extremist beliefs and detailed plans, developing over several years. Letters found at the crime scene and in Mohn’s vehicle explicitly outlined his calculated intent.

"This case is about how Justin Mohn assassinated his father and callously used him as a prop to force the government to meet his demands,” Deputy District Attorney Ashley Towhey declared in her opening statements.

The Horrific Discovery and Subsequent Capture

The court heard testimony from Michael Mohn’s wife, who made the horrific discovery upon returning home from work on January 30, 2024. Middletown Township police officers found the victim deceased and decapitated in the bathroom, with a machete and large knife nearby. An autopsy confirmed Michael Mohn was shot in the head before being decapitated, with no signs of defensive injuries. Forensic pathologist Dr. Ian Hood testified the shooter was at least a foot away when the fatal shot was fired.

In tearful testimony on Monday, the victim’s wife expressed shock, stating her son and husband shared a normal relationship. She noted her son had struggled to hold down a job after graduating from Penn State, blaming his difficulties on the educational system and the federal government.

After the murder, Justin Mohn uploaded a nearly 15-minute video to YouTube, displaying his father’s head and reading a prepared manifesto. The video, which garnered thousands of views before its removal and was played during the trial, featured Mohn ranting about grievances against the government, his former employer, and his family. He identified himself as the leader of Mohn’s Militia, explicitly called for a “revolution” and ordered militias and patriots to kill federal employees, even listing specific officials by name and address.

Justin Mohn fled the scene in his father’s 2009 Toyota Corolla. Hours later, investigators tracked his cellphone to the National Guard Training Center in Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County. He was apprehended there after attempting to enter the secure military installation, in a warped attempt to mobilize the National Guard against the federal government. He was found with a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm pistol and camping and survival gear.

Overwhelming Evidence of Planning

Bucks County Detective Eric Landamia testified on Wednesday, detailing an extensive forensic examination of Mohn's online search history and electronic devices. This revealed Mohn had been planning the violent events for at least five years, with searches for purchasing handguns, sound levels of gunshots, and bullet penetration of skulls. His writings included a "battle plan," instructions for building explosives, research on federal buildings and terrorists like Timothy McVeigh, and "bounty posters" targeting politicians, judges, and federal employees he deemed traitors.

Further evidence included DNA found at the crime scene and nearly two dozen letters Mohn wrote from prison to politicians and television personalities, in which he admitted to the crime, citing his political beliefs. A “to-do list” found by investigators also referenced the killing of his father.

During his testimony on Wednesday, Mohn admitted to killing his father but attempted to frame it as a "citizen’s arrest" that his father resisted – an excuse First Assistant District Attorney Edward Louka dismissed as "complete and utter nonsense." Louka asserted, “He ambushed his dad when he was most vulnerable … he walked in and executed him.”

“His plan was to murder a longtime federal employee, his father, and order the murder of other federal employees for his warped belief that the government adopt his policies above all else,” he said.

On Friday, when given another chance to show remorse, Mohn again declined, continuing to blame the government for his failures in life.

Statement from the District Attorney

Following the conviction and sentencing, District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and the prosecution team met with the media to discuss the case and offer their support to Michael Mohn’s family.

"First I want to say, our thoughts are with the family of Michael Mohn, who have endured an unimaginable tragedy," she said. "The conviction of Justin Mohn closes a dark chapter, but the scars left by his monstrous actions will undoubtedly remain."

"His actions were not only a heinous act but a deliberate and calculated attempt to incite widespread violence and terror. The extensive evidence of premeditation and his chilling use of his father's death as a political statement underscore the extreme danger he poses. This conviction reflects the tireless efforts of law enforcement and our dedicated prosecution team, who meticulously pieced together the layers of this disturbing case to ensure accountability for these horrific crimes. While we cannot undo the pain inflicted, we hope this verdict provides some measure of justice and closure for Michael Mohn's family."

The case was investigated by detectives with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Middletown Township Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Indiantown Gap Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. First Assistant District Attorney Edward Louka, Deputy District Attorney Ashley C. Towhey, and Deputy District Attorney Christine Sassane prosecuted the case.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298. mgamiz@buckscounty.org