PARK CITY, Utah (KUTV) — While attending the Sundance Film Festival, a Florida congressman said he was assaulted by a man who claimed the lawmaker would be deported.
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, D-Fla., said he was punched in the face Friday night while at the festival. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Christian Joel Young, 28, was arrested for aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official and assault.
Statement from Utah House Minority Leader Angela Romero:
“This is unacceptable, and I’m deeply sorry Rep. Frost had this experience. This is disgusting, and I’m glad the person accused of assaulting Rep. Frost was arrested. There is no excuse for racist or political violence, and we must be unequivocal in condemning it wherever it occurs.”
A Park City police officer was dispatched to the High West Distillery after the assault was reported. Security staff had already detained Young before the officer arrived, according to court documents.
MORE | Political Violence
“They advised he had assaulted two different patrons of the bar. Security staff also advised tonight was a closed event and people in the bar were by invitation only,” court documents read.
The business had a security gate where Young was “denied entry and was later seen jumping over the security fence.”
Frost told police Young was making weird conversation and comments referring to race, according to court documents. Young allegedly then pulled the congressman and his friend in close “like he was hugging them around their necks.”
“Young then pulled them in closer and then stated, ‘We are going to deport you and your kind.’ Frost said that he and his friend were shocked at the remark and pushed Young away from them to get separation,” court documents read.
The documents go on to read that Young then “yelled a racial slur” and punched Frost in the face. A second victim told police Young approached her and her friend at the bar and made weird conversation, according to court documents.
Young then allegedly “got upset” when the victim stopped the conversation “because it was becoming inappropriate and racially charged.” According to court documents, Young then grabbed the victim with two hands and pushed her against the bar.
“You are the kind we are going to deport,” Young yelled, according to court documents.
When Young was questioned about what happened, he said, “Nothing, I’m just hanging,” and then said he didn’t remember. He also said he did not know his own name, court documents read.
“Young was arrested and searched and nothing illegal was found. He was found to be in possession of a Sundance Film Festival administrative access pass that was not issued in his name,” court documents read.
According to court documents, Young said he “didn’t know what it was” when asked where he got the pass. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.
_______
