Man Accused of Violently Beheading His Dad
Levittown, Pennsylvania. Public domain.
In a case that reads like a chilling thriller, Justin Mohn, 33, stands accused of a horrific crime that has shocked Pennsylvania and the nation. On Jan. 30, 2024, in the quiet suburban town of Levittown, Justin allegedly shot and decapitated his 68-year-old father, Michael F. Mohn, in their family home. What followed was even more disturbing: according to prosecutors, Justin posted a 14-minute video on YouTube showing the severed head of his father, accompanied by a violent call to arms against federal employees. The trial, which began on July 7, 2025, has revealed a dark tale of extremism, family tragedy, and a calculated act prosecutors describe as terrorism.
The Crime Scene: A Grisly Discovery
The morning of Jan. 30, 2024, started like any other for Denice Mohn, Justin's mother and Michael's wife. She had seen her husband earlier that day and said goodbye, unaware it would be the last time. Later, she returned home for lunch and made a horrifying discovery: Michael's decapitated body lay in the downstairs bathroom. Overcome with shock, she screamed and called 911, setting off a frantic emergency response.
Law enforcement officers found a gruesome and unsettling scene. Michael's head was reportedly wrapped in a plastic bag and placed inside a cooking pot in a nearby bedroom. A machete was found in the bathtub, alongside a large kitchen knife — both believed to be the weapons used in the decapitation. The autopsy later confirmed that Michael was shot in the head before being decapitated, underscoring the brutality of the act.
The Shocking Video and Its Message
According to prosecutors, investigators discovered a video posted on Justin's YouTube channel that allegedly showed him holding "the decapitated head of his father Michael Mohn, identifying him by name and as his father, stating 'He is now in hell for eternity,'" as reported by PEOPLE.
The video also included a chilling call for militia members and patriots across the United States to kill federal employees. Specific federal officials and a U.S. District Court judge were reportedly named as targets for capture and public execution, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.
This video was reportedly live for several hours before YouTube removed it, but not before it had spread a wave of shock and horror. Prosecutors have framed this act as a cold, calculated plan to intimidate federal workers and incite violence, categorizing it as an act of terrorism.
The Man Behind the Crime: Justin Mohn
Justin Mohn's background and motives have come under intense scrutiny during the trial. Prosecutors allege that Justin harbored extremist anti-government beliefs, which fueled his violent actions. They claim he purchased the handgun used to shoot his father just one day before the murder. After the killing, Justin fled the scene in his father's 2009 Toyota Corolla, but was tracked down via his cellphone to the National Guard Training Center at Fort Indiantown Gap.
At the National Guard base, Justin allegedly attempted to persuade soldiers to "mobilize" against the federal government, according to the Associated Press, a move that further supports the terrorism charges. Authorities also reportedly found a USB device in his possession containing photos of federal buildings and instructions that appeared to show how to make explosive devices, indicating a broader plan beyond the murder.
The Victim: Michael F. Mohn
Michael Mohn worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the geoenvironmental section. He had served as a federal employee for 20 years, a fact that Justin apparently twisted into a justification for his crime, labeling his father a traitor in the video. The family lived together in Levittown, Pennsylvania, where Michael and Denice had been supporting Justin as he searched for employment.
According to the Associated Press, Denice Mohn's testimony during the trial conveyed the difficult emotional toll the events have taken on the family. She described the father-son relationship as one of guidance and support, emphasizing the family's efforts to help Justin find his footing. Her account of discovering her husband's body and the trauma that followed added a deeply personal dimension to the courtroom proceedings.
The Trial: A Bench Proceeding with Heavy Evidence
The trial is being conducted as a bench trial, meaning only a judge presides without a jury. This decision reflects the sensitive and graphic nature of the evidence, which includes the YouTube video, graphic photos of the crime scene, and 911 audio recordings capturing the chaos of that day. The judge warned the public about the disturbing content and allowed those uncomfortable with the material to leave before it was shown, as reported by the Associated Press.
Justin Mohn has reportedly remained largely impassive during the proceedings, watching the testimony and evidence without visible reaction. According to the Associated Press, his defense team has so far declined to make an opening statement, leaving prosecutors to lay out a narrative of a meticulously planned and ideologically driven murder.
Why Did This Happen? The Extremist Ideology
The Prosecution paints a picture of a man consumed by extremist anti-government views. Justin's online writings and the content of the video reveal rants about government policies, immigration, crime, and international conflicts like the war in Ukraine. During a competency hearing last year, it was reportedly revealed that Justin had even written a letter to Russia's ambassador seeking refuge and apologizing to President Vladimir Putin for claiming to be the czar of Russia.
This ideological fervor appears to have driven Justin to commit an act of violence against his own father, whom he saw as a symbol of the federal government he despised. The murder and subsequent video were intended not only as a personal attack but as a propaganda tool to incite others to violence.
What You Should Know
This case is a stark reminder of how extremist beliefs can escalate into devastating violence, even within families. It also highlights the role of social media platforms in the spread of dangerous content and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking and preventing such acts.
As the trial unfolds, it will continue to reveal the depths of this tragedy and the consequences of radicalization. For those following the case, it offers a sobering look at the intersection of family, ideology, and crime in modern America.
This story is a grim but important chapter in the ongoing conversation about domestic terrorism, mental health, and the power of extremist rhetoric. As you reflect on the details, remember the human cost behind the headlines — a family shattered and a community grappling with the aftermath of a crime that defies easy explanation.
References: He's Accused of Beheading His Dad, Then Posting Grisly Footage to YouTube. Now He's Facing a Murder Trial | Mother testifies at son's murder trial about finding husband's decapitated corpse | AP News
