September 10, 2025 • 31 mins
Federal charges have been announced in the Charlotte light rail murder, with U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson outlining the case. In response, Congressman Moore has introduced legislation to end cashless bail, tying it to public safety concerns raised by the crime. President Trump also weighed in, criticizing rising crime in U.S. cities. Meanwhile, State Auditor Dave Boliek has launched an investigation into the Charlotte transit system following the deadly incident.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
It's five oh five and welcome into a Wednesday edition
of the Carolina Journal News Hour, Newstock eleven ten nine
nine three WBT. I'm Nick Craig. A good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Well.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
National attention continues to swirl around North Carolina. Of course,
this all dealing with the August the twenty second murder
of twenty three year old Irena Zaruska on a Charlotte
light rail. The big details that we are tracking this
morning is now federal charges being a thrown in in
this continued coverage of this story. Learning details yesterday out
(00:44):
of Russ Ferguson, who is the US Attorney for the
Western District of North Carolina, holding a press conference announcing
that these federal charges are in fact going to be
gone after by the federal government against the killer into
Carlos Brown June. When you're the thirty four year old
that is alleged in that attack. This is what Ferguson
had to say yesterday at a news conference.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
As a native of Charlotte, I'm so sad to say
that our city has gotten to this place. I was
born here, I grew up here. I remember when the
light rail was built, I remember the development is furd.
I remember the excitement, and to think now that you
can't even feel comfortable riding that train hits me deep.
(01:28):
The light rail brought.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
This city access to jobs, access to education. People could
take the train to college.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
It really put Charlotte on the map, and this incident
has really really injured that.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Now.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
The Carlos Brown Junior, who we allege stabbed Erna Sarutska,
is in state custody on first degree murder charges. But
I'm here today to announce that we're going to supplement
those state charges with federal charges. These federal charges will
go alongside the murder case and state court, and we
hope that they will ensure justice for Erna, for her family,
(02:02):
and for the whole Charlotte community.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
The Western District Attorney, that's who you're hearing the voice
of Russ Ferguson, described a little bit more about those
charges and why the federal government is going this route
and taking those out.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
The charge we are bringing is in Title eighteen, which
is the Criminal Code, at section nineteen ninety two a seven,
which is the law that Congress passed really for this situation.
It is an act of violence on a mass transportation system.
It is a law that is there because acts like
this affect the American way. It affects our daily life.
It is random acts on a train that are the
(02:37):
thoroughbred and how we get through our cities to work
or places of education, to our families.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
It is our way of American life.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Crime makes people stop taking that light rail, that give
up those opportunities, and we're here to be sure that
we can save our city and bring those opportunities back.
The maximum penalty for this federal crime is life in
prison without parole or the death penalty. Of course, each
individual case receives its own sentencing hearing by a federal
judge that will decide the sentence based on the individual
(03:05):
factors in this case. Of course, at this point, we're
only making allegations. We do have a charge. We filed
a criminal complaint. It has been signed by a federal judge.
The charges have been brought, but they are just charges.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
That's again Russ Ferguson talking about those charges. He also
from the federal standpoint, talked about the timeline of this
situation that unfolded back on August the twenty seventh on
that light rail in Charlotte, and.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
That is that at nine to fifty five on August
twenty second, Charlotte Meckenburg Police Department responded to a call
that there had been a stabbing on a light rail train.
They located the victim who had been suffered stab wounds
in her neck on her hand. They found a pocket
knife on the scene, and they apprehended the fendant at
the rail stop. Now, much more recently, the surveillance video
was obtained from the train and that's really what gave
(03:50):
us the basis for federal charges here. And the surveillance
video shows Arena Zarutska getting on the train by herself
in her work uniform, sitting down pie herself in a
row that just happened to be in front of the
Carlos Brown Junior. Approximately four minutes later, mister Brown pulled
out a pocket knife. You see him on video open
(04:10):
that pocket knife and he stabbed her three times in
the neck. He then walked off the train with blood
dripping from the knife.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Russ ferguson the Western the US Attorney, i should say,
for the Western District of North Carolina, announcing those federal
charges at a press conference yesterday alongside members of the FBI.
James Barnacle Junior, the special agent in charge dealing with
this case. From the FBI standpoint, Attorney Ferguson obviously talking
about growing up in Charlotte, spending a lot of time
(04:39):
in Charlotte, an issue close to home to him, and
he got pretty emotional about it.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
But this is why federal statutes exist.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
The exist to take care of situations like this, because
no one should sit in fear when they sit on
the light rail. If you sit in fear on the
light rail, you sit in here when you walk around
the streets of our center city like I do every day.
You sit in here when you go to our purpse,
like I do with my daughter every weekend. You sit
in fear at our supporting events, our entertainment venues, at concerts,
at restaurants, at our museums. These are all the things
(05:07):
that we have worked as a city so hard to build.
We built the city. Companies have come here in droves.
More than one hundred and fifty people move here every day.
We built a city that people want to live in.
But we can lose that all if we allow violent
crime like this to go on in our streets. And
I'm here to tell you the federal government is going
to save our city from that.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
The US Code that they will be using and going
after to Carlos Brown Junior, the alleged killer, and this
is an eighteen USC Code of nineteen ninety two. It it
all deals with violence on a mass transportation system, which
the Charlotte Light Rail would fall under. And as you
heard there from Russ Ferguson, the maximum penalty for a conviction,
(05:48):
if when we get to that point in time, could
be life in prison without parole, or even the death penalty.
James Barnacle Junior, the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in charge,
says that Americans should be able to travel on things
like mass transit without fear or violence, saying in a
press release quote, Irena Zaruska had likely taken that train
(06:11):
ride many times before. She was probably tired after a
day at work and just wanted to go home, but
tragically she never made it. We hope that this federal
charge will help bring her family a measure of justice
and the courts will hold the subjects to charged in
this horrific act accountable. Everyone in this country deserves to
(06:31):
go to work, to school, or just across town without
the fear of being attacked. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the
head of a DOJ, also continued to spotlight the failed
policies that she says enabled this tragedy, echoing similar remarks
that you've heard this week from people like President Donald Trump,
House Speaker Destin Hall, Senate Leader Phil Berger, many members
(06:53):
of North Carolina's a Republican at delegation, and others, with
the AG saying in a press release, WO quote Irena
Zaruska was a young woman living the American dream. Her
horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft on
crime policies that put criminals before innocent people. I have
directed my attorneys to federally prosecute De Carlos Brown Junior,
(07:17):
a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime,
for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this
unforgivable act of violence. He will never again see the
light of day as a free man. The FBI Director
in Cash Patel, who is also working in conjunction with
this says that he appreciates the joint efforts in continuing
(07:39):
to deliver justice for the twenty three year old Ukrainian
refugee and her family. Saying, quote, the brutal attack on
Irena Zaruska on the Charlotte light rail was a disgraceful
act that should never happen in America. The FBI jumped
to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure that justice
is served in the perpetrator is never released from jail
(08:03):
to kill again. I want to thank Attorney General Bondi
for her pursuit of today's federal charges, which are the
first steps towards delivering justice for Irena and her family,
as well as millions of Americans who deserve to live
in our great American cities free from being the target
by violent criminals. This is a major escalation, at least
(08:24):
from the criminal side the judicial side in this case
that has gotten so much national attention really since the
earlier in the week, starting a late last week Friday,
when that surveillance footage was released and started making its
way around social media. We will continue to track it,
of course, from a wide variety of angles, but specifically
(08:45):
here on the illegal side. This morning, you can get
some additional coverage on that over on our website this morning,
Carolina Journal dot com. HIE twenty one. Welcome back to
The Carolina Journal News Our Newstock eleven, ten ninety nine
to three WBT. As we continue our coverage this morning
(09:08):
of the August the twenty second horrific murder of Ukrainian
refugee Irena Zaruska on the Charlotte light Rail. Representative Tim Moore,
the Republican out of the fourteenth Congressional District, which does
include the vast majority of the Charlotte metro area, has
introduced the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act, also
(09:29):
known as House Resolution of fifty two to thirteen. This
is being introduced alongside representatives et least Stephonic from New York,
Representative John James from Missouri, and others across the nation.
Moore said in a press release quote, Irena Zaruska should
still be alive. Her blood is on the hands of
every single person who made it possible for this monster
(09:52):
to walk free. That's why I'm co leading the Keep
Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act to cut off federal
funds to any state or city that refuses to detain
violent offenders. If leaders willingly refuse to do their job
to lock up dangerous criminals, they shouldn't get a federal
dime of support de Carlos Brown Junior, who allegedly killed Zaruska,
(10:15):
as you are well aware at this point, was convicted
of fourteen other crimes and was released on a promise
to appear from a judge. House Resolution fifty two thirteen
would bar any state or local government from receiving any
sort of federal funds if they ban cash bail for
all offenders or fail to enforce a detention for all
(10:39):
violent offenders, including juveniles. According to Representative Elisee Stephonic from
New York, who is the original lead on this legislation,
she writes, under Kathy Hochel, that's the governor of New
York's failed leadership. Casualist bail policies in New York pose
a clear and present danger to the nation and must
(10:59):
be turned dominated today. Senator Marsha Blackburn and I are
working alongside President Trump to end cash list bailed disasters.
We cannot allow arrested individuals who are awaiting trial to
be released back onto the streets to commit more crimes
against their communities. Senator Marshall Blackburn, the Republican out of Tennessee,
(11:23):
is leading the companion legislation in the Senate. Blackburn also
made news over the last couple of weeks announcing that
she will be running for governor in Tennessee, setting up
a gubernatorial primary that'll be taking place early next year.
She Blackburn said in a press release, quote, cashlest bail
and other soft on crime policies have empowered violent criminals
(11:46):
across our country, putting the lives of law abiding citizens
at risk. President Trump is leading the charge to restore
law and order by ending these failed policies, and Congresswoman
Stephanic and I are backing his efforts by introducing two
bills to end cashless bail and keep violent offenders behind bars.
(12:08):
A statement from the White House blames Democrats for the
murder of Zaruska, saying that while they did not wield
the knife, a radical left policies such as no cash
bail in defunding the police allowed it to take place.
The Trump administration argued that Democrat judges a release of
Brown Junior, the suspect in this case, following his most
(12:30):
recent arrest in January, despite his lengthy criminal rap sheet.
Lawmakers wrote Magistrate Stokes' actions in the case of De
Carlos Brown Junior clearly meets both of these grounds for removal.
In January twenty twenty five, Magistrate Stokes authorize the release
of Brown based solely on a written promise to appear
(12:53):
for a future court date. This decision was made despite
Brown's extensive criminal history, which included at least fourteen prior
arrests for serious offenses such as possession of a firearm
by a felon, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and physical
assault of his sister. Back a little over a decade ago,
in twenty fourteen, he was sentenced to five years in
(13:16):
prison for robbery with a dangerous firearm. The January charge,
which is a Class one misdemeanor, arose after Brown became
combative with police officers. Yet, despite his history of violence
and unstable behavior, the magistrate a judge released Brown without
requiring bond or imposing any meaningful condition to safeguard the public.
(13:39):
In addition, on September the ninth and North Carolina Republican
delegation did send a letter to Judge Roy H. Wiggins,
the chief judge for North Carolina's Judicial District twenty six,
calling for the judge who released Brown to be removed.
That is a lengthy letter that we've got available over
on our website this morning, Carolina Jo Journal dot com.
(14:00):
It's signed by Tim Moore, Greg Murphy, Virginia Fox, Addison McDowell,
Congressman David Rowser, Mark Harris, Richard Hudson, Pat Harrigan, Chuck Edwards,
and Brad Nott, the entire Republican led delegation in Washington,
d C. Some of the congressman's also weighed in individually
and other press statements, as Mark Harris noted, quote, why
(14:23):
would a judge knowingly let a repeat criminal with serious
mental health issues out on our streets? Crime judges must
be held responsible for their failure to carry out the
most basic, common sense duties. We must ensure that there
are no further Irena Zaruskas, Congressman David Rowser out of
(14:44):
the seventh Congressional district that's in southeastern North Carolina noted,
Magistrates Stokes ruling highlights exactly why liberals soft on crime
policies are failing our communities locally and nationwide. When lenient
laws meet lenia judges, public safety takes a back seat.
This tragic loss of a life was absolutely preventable. Echoing again,
(15:08):
a lot of the commentary that we've seen over the
last couple of days. For the first time since this
tragedy began taking a big time national news piece, former
governor now Senate candidate Roy Cooper has finally commented on it.
It wasn't until after six o'clock last night that the
former eight year governor twelve year attorney general had anything
(15:29):
to say about this murder. Governor Cooper posting on his
x account, quote, the murder of Irena Zaruska is a
horrible tragedy and we must do everything we can to
keep people safe. He then that was all he said
before torching the Senate candidate Michael Wattley, commenting only a
cynical DC insider would think it's acceptable to use her
(15:52):
death for political points, especially one who supported cutting funding
to law enforcement in North Carolin lineup, the governor continue.
The former governor continued by saying, I've been Attorney General
and governor, dedicating my career to putting violent criminals behind
bars and keeping them there. It's time for Michael Wattley
(16:13):
and the GOP to get serious in Washington about funding
our law enforcement. And that's what we'll do, and that's
what I'll do as Senator. As many other of these
out of touch comments come in from elected officials, the
social media machine is very much indicating that Governor former
Governor Cooper's post has three million views and more than
(16:35):
five thousand responses, with less than seven thousand reshares on
x and less than less than fifteen hundred likes, So
as you can then going through the commentary, there a
lot of outrage from folks across North Carolina and the nation.
Similar comments also popping up on the Twitter accounts of
other elected individuals, including now for now current Governor Josh Stein,
(16:59):
who is also the former Attorney General. We'll continue this
as we track this a major national story, of course,
with a very strong Charlotte, North Carolina connection right here
on the Carolina Journal News Hour. It's five thirty six.
Welcome back to the Carolina Journal news Our News Talk
(17:21):
eleven ten ninety nine three WBT. As national attention continues
to shine its spotlight on Charlotte this morning at the
murder of twenty three year old Irena Zaruska. Back on
August the twenty second, the White House and President Donald
Trump putting out a video on social media yesterday afternoon
from the official White House Twitter account talking about that
(17:42):
and crime in major cities across the United States. Here's
President Trump yesterday.
Speaker 5 (17:47):
For far too long, Americans have been forced to put
up with Democrat run cities and set loose savage, blood
thirsty criminals to pray on innocent people, really very very
innocent people. In every place, they control radical left judges, politicians,
and activists, and they've adopted a policy of catch and
(18:08):
release for thugs and killers. In Charlotte, North Carolina, we
saw the results of these policies when a twenty three
year old woman who came here from Ukraine met her
bloody end on a public train. And here's a picture
of it. This is the picture of it. And this
(18:29):
is a picture of the woman, a beautiful young girl
that never had problems in life, with a magnificent future
in this country. And now she's dead. She was slaughtered
by a deranged monster who was roaming free after fourteen
(18:50):
prior arrests. We cannot allow it to prave criminal element
of violent repeat offenders to continue spreading destruction and death
throughout our country. We have to respond with force and strength.
We have to be vicious just like they are. It's
the only thing they understand. Twenty four of the top
twenty five most dangerous cities in America are run by
(19:12):
Democrat mayors. Fifty people were murdered in Chicago in recent weeks,
with hundreds being shot, and it's time to stop this madness.
The people of our country need to insist on protection, safety,
law and order. We have proven that it can be
done because we did it right here in DC, in
(19:33):
District of Columbia. The capital of America, was a blood Thursday, horrible,
dangerous place, one of the worst, and now it's a
crime free city. And we're going to keep it that way.
It can be done, it can happen fast. All we
want is please, mister President. We need help. Chicago needs help,
(19:54):
other cities needs help. We'll do what has to be
done because we're going to make America safe again, and
that includes our big cities. We're going to make those
cities safe. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
That's President Donald Trump releasing that video on x Yesterday afternoon,
at a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Caroline Levitt
took the opportunity to bash a former Governor Roy Cooper
and current Governor Josh Stein to a course of very
prominent elected officials here in the state of North Carolina.
This is what she had to say in the briefing
room yesterday.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
All the way back in twenty twenty, North Carolina's then
Democrat Governor Roy Cooper established a so called Task Force
for Racial Equity and Criminal Justice. Sounds nice, but it's not.
That task force was co authored by then Attorney General
and current Democrat Governor Josh Stein. It recommended quote reimagining
public safety to quote promote diversion and other alternatives to arrest.
(20:51):
It also advised to de emphasize some felony crimes, prioritize
quote restorative justice, and eliminate cash bail. Democrats in North
Carolina in nationwide, are consumed with pushing a woke, soft
on crime agenda, no matter how many innocent Americans suffer
as a result. Instead of aggressively prosecuting and locking up
(21:12):
violent criminals, the Democrat backed cashless bail approach lets these
criminals roam free in our country to offend again and again.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
That's Press Secretary Caroline Levitt at the White House Press
briefing yesterday, taking the top spot at the briefing, she
spoke about the situation in Charlotte all of the various
elements of it for multiple minutes yesterday before taking questions
from reporters. We'll continue to track the coverage right here
on the Carolina Journal News Hour, where it's now five
forty News Talk eleven ten ninety nine to three WBT
(21:44):
as we continue our coverage of the horrific August the
twenty second murder of a Ukrainian refugee here in the
Charlotte Greater Charlotte metro area. A lot of folks have
been jumping in on the conversation, That includes State Auditor
Dave Bollock, whose office announce they're opening an investigation. To
walk us through some of those details this morning, Teresa
Opeka Carolina Journal dot Com joins us on the News Hour. Teresa,
(22:08):
this is obviously garnered an incredible an unimaginable amount of
national media attention over the last couple of days. What's
going on here in the State Auditor's office?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Sure, good morning, Nick, thanks for having me, and around
the world too. We've got reports, of course, you know,
Auditor Bullick is getting in line with everybody else talking
about this and then doing some investigating when it comes
to the tragedy that happened in Charlotte on the light
rail on August twenty second. He said he's going to
be investigating the Cats, the Charlotte area transit system as
(22:44):
far as the public safety aspects of how it goes,
including but not limited to private security contracts, metrics and
data used by cats, and also private security for public
safety purposes, and the cat's safety and security budget. He says,
you know, one of the most basic duties a government
owes to the people is public safety. And the recent
(23:06):
lawlessness and violence have taken place on Charlotte's public transportation system,
it does raise serious questions about the security measures in place,
and he says we're going to investigate CATS and examine
its public safety contracts and operations. He also, in a
press release that he issued yesterday, detailed other crimes that
have happened on cats as well before this tragic fatal
(23:28):
stabbing that occurred on August twenty second.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
You know, Teresa, it's interesting that the auditors noting and
you're reporting some of the safety and security issues. You
would imagine that the situation that, as you noted, unfolded
more than two weeks ago at this point, back on
August the twenty second would have caused cats in the
Charlotte City Council and then everybody involved to increase security.
We had a report from Sunday that over seventy five
(23:52):
percent of a ride taken by by Mark Garrison in
his audio report indicated that there were nobody checking tickets
and there was no security. An event like that doesn't
increase security. I mean you start begging the question, is
there ever going to be any increase in security?
Speaker 4 (24:08):
Right?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Right? I mean, you know, what does it take? You know,
I think maybe it takes now the federal government threatening
to investigate, which we're seeing the DOJ Attorney General Pam Bondi,
who's going to be federally prosecuting this case. You also
see cash Battel, FBI Director Cash Battel, you know, raising
questions saying they're also going to be looking to it.
(24:31):
There's all this scrutiny now being looked at. But of course,
like you say, did it take the federal government to
step in and say, hey, we're going to take a
look at this prosecute with federal charges when this poor
woman died on needlessly, you know, from this person who
shouldn't have been on the light rail to begin with,
if people were doing their jobs and taking the tickets,
(24:52):
as you say, you know, that seems like they knew that.
They what some people knew what they can get away
with and sit on the light rail and and not
have to pay to ride it. And not just that,
but with the serious consequences with what we've seen.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Yeah, no question about that. And for maybe for folks
going into a little bit more detail might be helpful.
Unlike the New York City subway with folks might be
familiar with, the light rail in Charlotte was retro fitted
into the city, so you kind of approach it on
a floating platform. Toresa kind of like a bus stop. Essentially,
there's no turnstiles, there's no big blockades or major gates
(25:28):
or anything. It's kind of a merit based system. You
purchase a ticket if you're going to ride. But it's
been been noted in some of the media coverage over
the last few days or so, if folks are not
there checking tickets, you've got individuals that are going to
take advantage of some of that lacks, whether it's security
or ticket checkers, and ride this thing back and forth,
(25:50):
right right.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
So they definitely have to look into getting a system
in place where they can actually get that to get
people's tickets being taken. And I'm not sure what that's
gonna entail, but there should definitely be something that definitely
takes care of that. I don't know if that is
including having a person on there taking a ticket or
a system where it just doesn't allow you to board
(26:11):
the train, but something definitely needs to be.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Done, no question about that. We've got a lot of
extensive coverage over on our website this morning, Carolina Journal
dot com. These comments from State Auditor Dave Bollock announcing
his investigation as reaction continues to come in from across
the United States and the folks here in North Carolina,
we appreciate the time and the details. This morning, Teresopeika
joins us on the Carolina Journal News Hour. It's time
(26:42):
for the sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood Drive heading
your way tomorrow, Thursday, September the eleventh WBT and the
One Blood, Big Red Bus will be at Woody's Auto
Service in Rockhill from ten am to three pm, and
we are of course encouraging you to make a life
saving blood donation. It's the sixth annual WBT Little Heroes
(27:02):
Blood Drive headed your way Thursday, September the eleventh at
wood He's Auto Service in rock Hill. Visit our website
this morning WBT dot com for location details and to
register and schedule your appointment. It's now five point fifty three.
Welcome back to the Carolina Journal, News Hour, News Talk eleven,
ten ninety nine three WBT. US Attorney Russ Ferguson for
(27:24):
the Western District of North Carolina has announced federal charges
against a Carlos Brown Junior in the August the twenty
second murder of a twenty three year old Ukrainian refugee
by the name of Arena Zaruska on a Charlotte light rail.
A press conference did take place yesterday which did include
the US attorney. This is what he had to say
(27:45):
about the situation.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
As a native of Charlotte, I'm so sad to say
that our city has gotten to this place.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
I was born here, I grew up here.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
I remember when the light rail was built, I remember
the development is fird. I remember the excitement, and to
think now that you can't even feel comfortable.
Speaker 4 (28:04):
Riding that train hits me. Deep.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
The light rail brought this city access to jobs, access
to education.
Speaker 4 (28:12):
People could take the train to college.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
It really put Charlotte on the map, and this incident
has really really injured that. Now the Carlos Brown Junior,
who we allege stabbed Erna Sarutska, is in state custody
on first degree murder charges. But I'm here today to
announce that we're going to supplement those state charges with
federal charges. These federal charges will go alongside the murder
(28:37):
case and state court, and we hope that they will
insure justice for Erna, for her family, and for the
whole Charlotte community, for.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
The whole Charlotte community. There from Russ Ferguson. He then
went into additional details about what these federal charges are
and why they're going after them.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
The charge we are bringing is in Title eighteen, which
is the Criminal Code, at section nineteen ninety two a seven,
which is the law all that Congress passed really for
this situation. It is an act of violence on a
mass transportation system. It is a law that is there
because acts like this affect the American Way, It affects
our daily life.
Speaker 4 (29:11):
It is random acts on a train.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
That are the thoroughbred and how we get through our
cities to work or places of education to our families.
Speaker 4 (29:20):
It is our way of American life.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Crime makes people stop taking that light rail, that give
up those opportunities, and we're here to be sure that
we can save our city and bring those opportunities back.
The maximum penalty for this federal crime is life in
prison without parole or the death penalty. Of course, each
individual case receives its own sentencing hearing by a federal
judge that will decide the sentence based on the individual
(29:42):
factors in this case. Of course, at this point, we're
only making allegations. We do have a charge. We filed
a criminal complaint. It has been signed by a federal judge.
The charges have been brought, but they are just charges.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
That's Russ Ferguson, the US Attorney for the Western District
of North Carolina. Getting some additional reaction in James Barnacle Junior,
the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in charge, said that Americans
should be able to travel without fear and violence in
a press release yesterday, saying quote, Irena Zaruska had likely
taken that train ride many times before she was probably
(30:16):
tired after a day of work and just wanted to
go home, but tragically she never made it. We hope
this of these federal charges will help bring her family
a measure of justice, and the courts will hold the
subject charged in this horrific act accountable. Everyone in this
country deserves to go to work, to school, or just
across town without the fear of being attacked. Attorney General
(30:39):
Pam Bondi also continued to spotlight the failed policies that
she says enabled this tragedy, echoing similar remarks made by others,
including President Donald Trump, saying Irena Zaruska was a young
woman living the American dream. Her horrific murder is a
direct result of failed soft on crime policies that put
criminals before in a sad sent people. We've got some
(31:01):
additional details on everything that we've been tracking on this
situation out of Charlotte over on our website this morning
at Carolina Journal dot com. That's going to do it
for a Wednesday edition at WBT News is next, followed
by Good Morning BT. We're back with you tomorrow morning,
five to six right here on News Talk eleven, ten
and ninety nine three WBT
It's five oh five and welcome into a Wednesday edition
of the Carolina Journal News Hour, Newstock eleven ten nine
nine three WBT. I'm Nick Craig. A good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Well.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
National attention continues to swirl around North Carolina. Of course,
this all dealing with the August the twenty second murder
of twenty three year old Irena Zaruska on a Charlotte
light rail. The big details that we are tracking this
morning is now federal charges being a thrown in in
this continued coverage of this story. Learning details yesterday out
(00:44):
of Russ Ferguson, who is the US Attorney for the
Western District of North Carolina, holding a press conference announcing
that these federal charges are in fact going to be
gone after by the federal government against the killer into
Carlos Brown June. When you're the thirty four year old
that is alleged in that attack. This is what Ferguson
had to say yesterday at a news conference.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
As a native of Charlotte, I'm so sad to say
that our city has gotten to this place. I was
born here, I grew up here. I remember when the
light rail was built, I remember the development is furd.
I remember the excitement, and to think now that you
can't even feel comfortable riding that train hits me deep.
(01:28):
The light rail brought.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
This city access to jobs, access to education. People could
take the train to college.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
It really put Charlotte on the map, and this incident
has really really injured that.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Now.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
The Carlos Brown Junior, who we allege stabbed Erna Sarutska,
is in state custody on first degree murder charges. But
I'm here today to announce that we're going to supplement
those state charges with federal charges. These federal charges will
go alongside the murder case and state court, and we
hope that they will ensure justice for Erna, for her family,
(02:02):
and for the whole Charlotte community.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
The Western District Attorney, that's who you're hearing the voice
of Russ Ferguson, described a little bit more about those
charges and why the federal government is going this route
and taking those out.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
The charge we are bringing is in Title eighteen, which
is the Criminal Code, at section nineteen ninety two a seven,
which is the law that Congress passed really for this situation.
It is an act of violence on a mass transportation system.
It is a law that is there because acts like
this affect the American way. It affects our daily life.
It is random acts on a train that are the
(02:37):
thoroughbred and how we get through our cities to work
or places of education, to our families.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
It is our way of American life.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Crime makes people stop taking that light rail, that give
up those opportunities, and we're here to be sure that
we can save our city and bring those opportunities back.
The maximum penalty for this federal crime is life in
prison without parole or the death penalty. Of course, each
individual case receives its own sentencing hearing by a federal
judge that will decide the sentence based on the individual
(03:05):
factors in this case. Of course, at this point, we're
only making allegations. We do have a charge. We filed
a criminal complaint. It has been signed by a federal judge.
The charges have been brought, but they are just charges.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
That's again Russ Ferguson talking about those charges. He also
from the federal standpoint, talked about the timeline of this
situation that unfolded back on August the twenty seventh on
that light rail in Charlotte, and.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
That is that at nine to fifty five on August
twenty second, Charlotte Meckenburg Police Department responded to a call
that there had been a stabbing on a light rail train.
They located the victim who had been suffered stab wounds
in her neck on her hand. They found a pocket
knife on the scene, and they apprehended the fendant at
the rail stop. Now, much more recently, the surveillance video
was obtained from the train and that's really what gave
(03:50):
us the basis for federal charges here. And the surveillance
video shows Arena Zarutska getting on the train by herself
in her work uniform, sitting down pie herself in a
row that just happened to be in front of the
Carlos Brown Junior. Approximately four minutes later, mister Brown pulled
out a pocket knife. You see him on video open
(04:10):
that pocket knife and he stabbed her three times in
the neck. He then walked off the train with blood
dripping from the knife.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Russ ferguson the Western the US Attorney, i should say,
for the Western District of North Carolina, announcing those federal
charges at a press conference yesterday alongside members of the FBI.
James Barnacle Junior, the special agent in charge dealing with
this case. From the FBI standpoint, Attorney Ferguson obviously talking
about growing up in Charlotte, spending a lot of time
(04:39):
in Charlotte, an issue close to home to him, and
he got pretty emotional about it.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
But this is why federal statutes exist.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
The exist to take care of situations like this, because
no one should sit in fear when they sit on
the light rail. If you sit in fear on the
light rail, you sit in here when you walk around
the streets of our center city like I do every day.
You sit in here when you go to our purpse,
like I do with my daughter every weekend. You sit
in fear at our supporting events, our entertainment venues, at concerts,
at restaurants, at our museums. These are all the things
(05:07):
that we have worked as a city so hard to build.
We built the city. Companies have come here in droves.
More than one hundred and fifty people move here every day.
We built a city that people want to live in.
But we can lose that all if we allow violent
crime like this to go on in our streets. And
I'm here to tell you the federal government is going
to save our city from that.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
The US Code that they will be using and going
after to Carlos Brown Junior, the alleged killer, and this
is an eighteen USC Code of nineteen ninety two. It it
all deals with violence on a mass transportation system, which
the Charlotte Light Rail would fall under. And as you
heard there from Russ Ferguson, the maximum penalty for a conviction,
(05:48):
if when we get to that point in time, could
be life in prison without parole, or even the death penalty.
James Barnacle Junior, the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in charge,
says that Americans should be able to travel on things
like mass transit without fear or violence, saying in a
press release quote, Irena Zaruska had likely taken that train
(06:11):
ride many times before. She was probably tired after a
day at work and just wanted to go home, but
tragically she never made it. We hope that this federal
charge will help bring her family a measure of justice
and the courts will hold the subjects to charged in
this horrific act accountable. Everyone in this country deserves to
(06:31):
go to work, to school, or just across town without
the fear of being attacked. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the
head of a DOJ, also continued to spotlight the failed
policies that she says enabled this tragedy, echoing similar remarks
that you've heard this week from people like President Donald Trump,
House Speaker Destin Hall, Senate Leader Phil Berger, many members
(06:53):
of North Carolina's a Republican at delegation, and others, with
the AG saying in a press release, WO quote Irena
Zaruska was a young woman living the American dream. Her
horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft on
crime policies that put criminals before innocent people. I have
directed my attorneys to federally prosecute De Carlos Brown Junior,
(07:17):
a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime,
for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this
unforgivable act of violence. He will never again see the
light of day as a free man. The FBI Director
in Cash Patel, who is also working in conjunction with
this says that he appreciates the joint efforts in continuing
(07:39):
to deliver justice for the twenty three year old Ukrainian
refugee and her family. Saying, quote, the brutal attack on
Irena Zaruska on the Charlotte light rail was a disgraceful
act that should never happen in America. The FBI jumped
to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure that justice
is served in the perpetrator is never released from jail
(08:03):
to kill again. I want to thank Attorney General Bondi
for her pursuit of today's federal charges, which are the
first steps towards delivering justice for Irena and her family,
as well as millions of Americans who deserve to live
in our great American cities free from being the target
by violent criminals. This is a major escalation, at least
(08:24):
from the criminal side the judicial side in this case
that has gotten so much national attention really since the
earlier in the week, starting a late last week Friday,
when that surveillance footage was released and started making its
way around social media. We will continue to track it,
of course, from a wide variety of angles, but specifically
(08:45):
here on the illegal side. This morning, you can get
some additional coverage on that over on our website this morning,
Carolina Journal dot com. HIE twenty one. Welcome back to
The Carolina Journal News Our Newstock eleven, ten ninety nine
to three WBT. As we continue our coverage this morning
(09:08):
of the August the twenty second horrific murder of Ukrainian
refugee Irena Zaruska on the Charlotte light Rail. Representative Tim Moore,
the Republican out of the fourteenth Congressional District, which does
include the vast majority of the Charlotte metro area, has
introduced the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act, also
(09:29):
known as House Resolution of fifty two to thirteen. This
is being introduced alongside representatives et least Stephonic from New York,
Representative John James from Missouri, and others across the nation.
Moore said in a press release quote, Irena Zaruska should
still be alive. Her blood is on the hands of
every single person who made it possible for this monster
(09:52):
to walk free. That's why I'm co leading the Keep
Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act to cut off federal
funds to any state or city that refuses to detain
violent offenders. If leaders willingly refuse to do their job
to lock up dangerous criminals, they shouldn't get a federal
dime of support de Carlos Brown Junior, who allegedly killed Zaruska,
(10:15):
as you are well aware at this point, was convicted
of fourteen other crimes and was released on a promise
to appear from a judge. House Resolution fifty two thirteen
would bar any state or local government from receiving any
sort of federal funds if they ban cash bail for
all offenders or fail to enforce a detention for all
(10:39):
violent offenders, including juveniles. According to Representative Elisee Stephonic from
New York, who is the original lead on this legislation,
she writes, under Kathy Hochel, that's the governor of New
York's failed leadership. Casualist bail policies in New York pose
a clear and present danger to the nation and must
(10:59):
be turned dominated today. Senator Marsha Blackburn and I are
working alongside President Trump to end cash list bailed disasters.
We cannot allow arrested individuals who are awaiting trial to
be released back onto the streets to commit more crimes
against their communities. Senator Marshall Blackburn, the Republican out of Tennessee,
(11:23):
is leading the companion legislation in the Senate. Blackburn also
made news over the last couple of weeks announcing that
she will be running for governor in Tennessee, setting up
a gubernatorial primary that'll be taking place early next year.
She Blackburn said in a press release, quote, cashlest bail
and other soft on crime policies have empowered violent criminals
(11:46):
across our country, putting the lives of law abiding citizens
at risk. President Trump is leading the charge to restore
law and order by ending these failed policies, and Congresswoman
Stephanic and I are backing his efforts by introducing two
bills to end cashless bail and keep violent offenders behind bars.
(12:08):
A statement from the White House blames Democrats for the
murder of Zaruska, saying that while they did not wield
the knife, a radical left policies such as no cash
bail in defunding the police allowed it to take place.
The Trump administration argued that Democrat judges a release of
Brown Junior, the suspect in this case, following his most
(12:30):
recent arrest in January, despite his lengthy criminal rap sheet.
Lawmakers wrote Magistrate Stokes' actions in the case of De
Carlos Brown Junior clearly meets both of these grounds for removal.
In January twenty twenty five, Magistrate Stokes authorize the release
of Brown based solely on a written promise to appear
(12:53):
for a future court date. This decision was made despite
Brown's extensive criminal history, which included at least fourteen prior
arrests for serious offenses such as possession of a firearm
by a felon, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and physical
assault of his sister. Back a little over a decade ago,
in twenty fourteen, he was sentenced to five years in
(13:16):
prison for robbery with a dangerous firearm. The January charge,
which is a Class one misdemeanor, arose after Brown became
combative with police officers. Yet, despite his history of violence
and unstable behavior, the magistrate a judge released Brown without
requiring bond or imposing any meaningful condition to safeguard the public.
(13:39):
In addition, on September the ninth and North Carolina Republican
delegation did send a letter to Judge Roy H. Wiggins,
the chief judge for North Carolina's Judicial District twenty six,
calling for the judge who released Brown to be removed.
That is a lengthy letter that we've got available over
on our website this morning, Carolina Jo Journal dot com.
(14:00):
It's signed by Tim Moore, Greg Murphy, Virginia Fox, Addison McDowell,
Congressman David Rowser, Mark Harris, Richard Hudson, Pat Harrigan, Chuck Edwards,
and Brad Nott, the entire Republican led delegation in Washington,
d C. Some of the congressman's also weighed in individually
and other press statements, as Mark Harris noted, quote, why
(14:23):
would a judge knowingly let a repeat criminal with serious
mental health issues out on our streets? Crime judges must
be held responsible for their failure to carry out the
most basic, common sense duties. We must ensure that there
are no further Irena Zaruskas, Congressman David Rowser out of
(14:44):
the seventh Congressional district that's in southeastern North Carolina noted,
Magistrates Stokes ruling highlights exactly why liberals soft on crime
policies are failing our communities locally and nationwide. When lenient
laws meet lenia judges, public safety takes a back seat.
This tragic loss of a life was absolutely preventable. Echoing again,
(15:08):
a lot of the commentary that we've seen over the
last couple of days. For the first time since this
tragedy began taking a big time national news piece, former
governor now Senate candidate Roy Cooper has finally commented on it.
It wasn't until after six o'clock last night that the
former eight year governor twelve year attorney general had anything
(15:29):
to say about this murder. Governor Cooper posting on his
x account, quote, the murder of Irena Zaruska is a
horrible tragedy and we must do everything we can to
keep people safe. He then that was all he said
before torching the Senate candidate Michael Wattley, commenting only a
cynical DC insider would think it's acceptable to use her
(15:52):
death for political points, especially one who supported cutting funding
to law enforcement in North Carolin lineup, the governor continue.
The former governor continued by saying, I've been Attorney General
and governor, dedicating my career to putting violent criminals behind
bars and keeping them there. It's time for Michael Wattley
(16:13):
and the GOP to get serious in Washington about funding
our law enforcement. And that's what we'll do, and that's
what I'll do as Senator. As many other of these
out of touch comments come in from elected officials, the
social media machine is very much indicating that Governor former
Governor Cooper's post has three million views and more than
(16:35):
five thousand responses, with less than seven thousand reshares on
x and less than less than fifteen hundred likes, So
as you can then going through the commentary, there a
lot of outrage from folks across North Carolina and the nation.
Similar comments also popping up on the Twitter accounts of
other elected individuals, including now for now current Governor Josh Stein,
(16:59):
who is also the former Attorney General. We'll continue this
as we track this a major national story, of course,
with a very strong Charlotte, North Carolina connection right here
on the Carolina Journal News Hour. It's five thirty six.
Welcome back to the Carolina Journal news Our News Talk
(17:21):
eleven ten ninety nine three WBT. As national attention continues
to shine its spotlight on Charlotte this morning at the
murder of twenty three year old Irena Zaruska. Back on
August the twenty second, the White House and President Donald
Trump putting out a video on social media yesterday afternoon
from the official White House Twitter account talking about that
(17:42):
and crime in major cities across the United States. Here's
President Trump yesterday.
Speaker 5 (17:47):
For far too long, Americans have been forced to put
up with Democrat run cities and set loose savage, blood
thirsty criminals to pray on innocent people, really very very
innocent people. In every place, they control radical left judges, politicians,
and activists, and they've adopted a policy of catch and
(18:08):
release for thugs and killers. In Charlotte, North Carolina, we
saw the results of these policies when a twenty three
year old woman who came here from Ukraine met her
bloody end on a public train. And here's a picture
of it. This is the picture of it. And this
(18:29):
is a picture of the woman, a beautiful young girl
that never had problems in life, with a magnificent future
in this country. And now she's dead. She was slaughtered
by a deranged monster who was roaming free after fourteen
(18:50):
prior arrests. We cannot allow it to prave criminal element
of violent repeat offenders to continue spreading destruction and death
throughout our country. We have to respond with force and strength.
We have to be vicious just like they are. It's
the only thing they understand. Twenty four of the top
twenty five most dangerous cities in America are run by
(19:12):
Democrat mayors. Fifty people were murdered in Chicago in recent weeks,
with hundreds being shot, and it's time to stop this madness.
The people of our country need to insist on protection, safety,
law and order. We have proven that it can be
done because we did it right here in DC, in
(19:33):
District of Columbia. The capital of America, was a blood Thursday, horrible,
dangerous place, one of the worst, and now it's a
crime free city. And we're going to keep it that way.
It can be done, it can happen fast. All we
want is please, mister President. We need help. Chicago needs help,
(19:54):
other cities needs help. We'll do what has to be
done because we're going to make America safe again, and
that includes our big cities. We're going to make those
cities safe. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
That's President Donald Trump releasing that video on x Yesterday afternoon,
at a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Caroline Levitt
took the opportunity to bash a former Governor Roy Cooper
and current Governor Josh Stein to a course of very
prominent elected officials here in the state of North Carolina.
This is what she had to say in the briefing
room yesterday.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
All the way back in twenty twenty, North Carolina's then
Democrat Governor Roy Cooper established a so called Task Force
for Racial Equity and Criminal Justice. Sounds nice, but it's not.
That task force was co authored by then Attorney General
and current Democrat Governor Josh Stein. It recommended quote reimagining
public safety to quote promote diversion and other alternatives to arrest.
(20:51):
It also advised to de emphasize some felony crimes, prioritize
quote restorative justice, and eliminate cash bail. Democrats in North
Carolina in nationwide, are consumed with pushing a woke, soft
on crime agenda, no matter how many innocent Americans suffer
as a result. Instead of aggressively prosecuting and locking up
(21:12):
violent criminals, the Democrat backed cashless bail approach lets these
criminals roam free in our country to offend again and again.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
That's Press Secretary Caroline Levitt at the White House Press
briefing yesterday, taking the top spot at the briefing, she
spoke about the situation in Charlotte all of the various
elements of it for multiple minutes yesterday before taking questions
from reporters. We'll continue to track the coverage right here
on the Carolina Journal News Hour, where it's now five
forty News Talk eleven ten ninety nine to three WBT
(21:44):
as we continue our coverage of the horrific August the
twenty second murder of a Ukrainian refugee here in the
Charlotte Greater Charlotte metro area. A lot of folks have
been jumping in on the conversation, That includes State Auditor
Dave Bollock, whose office announce they're opening an investigation. To
walk us through some of those details this morning, Teresa
Opeka Carolina Journal dot Com joins us on the News Hour. Teresa,
(22:08):
this is obviously garnered an incredible an unimaginable amount of
national media attention over the last couple of days. What's
going on here in the State Auditor's office?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Sure, good morning, Nick, thanks for having me, and around
the world too. We've got reports, of course, you know,
Auditor Bullick is getting in line with everybody else talking
about this and then doing some investigating when it comes
to the tragedy that happened in Charlotte on the light
rail on August twenty second. He said he's going to
be investigating the Cats, the Charlotte area transit system as
(22:44):
far as the public safety aspects of how it goes,
including but not limited to private security contracts, metrics and
data used by cats, and also private security for public
safety purposes, and the cat's safety and security budget. He says,
you know, one of the most basic duties a government
owes to the people is public safety. And the recent
(23:06):
lawlessness and violence have taken place on Charlotte's public transportation system,
it does raise serious questions about the security measures in place,
and he says we're going to investigate CATS and examine
its public safety contracts and operations. He also, in a
press release that he issued yesterday, detailed other crimes that
have happened on cats as well before this tragic fatal
(23:28):
stabbing that occurred on August twenty second.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
You know, Teresa, it's interesting that the auditors noting and
you're reporting some of the safety and security issues. You
would imagine that the situation that, as you noted, unfolded
more than two weeks ago at this point, back on
August the twenty second would have caused cats in the
Charlotte City Council and then everybody involved to increase security.
We had a report from Sunday that over seventy five
(23:52):
percent of a ride taken by by Mark Garrison in
his audio report indicated that there were nobody checking tickets
and there was no security. An event like that doesn't
increase security. I mean you start begging the question, is
there ever going to be any increase in security?
Speaker 4 (24:08):
Right?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Right? I mean, you know, what does it take? You know,
I think maybe it takes now the federal government threatening
to investigate, which we're seeing the DOJ Attorney General Pam Bondi,
who's going to be federally prosecuting this case. You also
see cash Battel, FBI Director Cash Battel, you know, raising
questions saying they're also going to be looking to it.
(24:31):
There's all this scrutiny now being looked at. But of course,
like you say, did it take the federal government to
step in and say, hey, we're going to take a
look at this prosecute with federal charges when this poor
woman died on needlessly, you know, from this person who
shouldn't have been on the light rail to begin with,
if people were doing their jobs and taking the tickets,
(24:52):
as you say, you know, that seems like they knew that.
They what some people knew what they can get away
with and sit on the light rail and and not
have to pay to ride it. And not just that,
but with the serious consequences with what we've seen.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
Yeah, no question about that. And for maybe for folks
going into a little bit more detail might be helpful.
Unlike the New York City subway with folks might be
familiar with, the light rail in Charlotte was retro fitted
into the city, so you kind of approach it on
a floating platform. Toresa kind of like a bus stop. Essentially,
there's no turnstiles, there's no big blockades or major gates
(25:28):
or anything. It's kind of a merit based system. You
purchase a ticket if you're going to ride. But it's
been been noted in some of the media coverage over
the last few days or so, if folks are not
there checking tickets, you've got individuals that are going to
take advantage of some of that lacks, whether it's security
or ticket checkers, and ride this thing back and forth,
(25:50):
right right.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
So they definitely have to look into getting a system
in place where they can actually get that to get
people's tickets being taken. And I'm not sure what that's
gonna entail, but there should definitely be something that definitely
takes care of that. I don't know if that is
including having a person on there taking a ticket or
a system where it just doesn't allow you to board
(26:11):
the train, but something definitely needs to be.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Done, no question about that. We've got a lot of
extensive coverage over on our website this morning, Carolina Journal
dot com. These comments from State Auditor Dave Bollock announcing
his investigation as reaction continues to come in from across
the United States and the folks here in North Carolina,
we appreciate the time and the details. This morning, Teresopeika
joins us on the Carolina Journal News Hour. It's time
(26:42):
for the sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood Drive heading
your way tomorrow, Thursday, September the eleventh WBT and the
One Blood, Big Red Bus will be at Woody's Auto
Service in Rockhill from ten am to three pm, and
we are of course encouraging you to make a life
saving blood donation. It's the sixth annual WBT Little Heroes
(27:02):
Blood Drive headed your way Thursday, September the eleventh at
wood He's Auto Service in rock Hill. Visit our website
this morning WBT dot com for location details and to
register and schedule your appointment. It's now five point fifty three.
Welcome back to the Carolina Journal, News Hour, News Talk eleven,
ten ninety nine three WBT. US Attorney Russ Ferguson for
(27:24):
the Western District of North Carolina has announced federal charges
against a Carlos Brown Junior in the August the twenty
second murder of a twenty three year old Ukrainian refugee
by the name of Arena Zaruska on a Charlotte light rail.
A press conference did take place yesterday which did include
the US attorney. This is what he had to say
(27:45):
about the situation.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
As a native of Charlotte, I'm so sad to say
that our city has gotten to this place.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
I was born here, I grew up here.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
I remember when the light rail was built, I remember
the development is fird. I remember the excitement, and to
think now that you can't even feel comfortable.
Speaker 4 (28:04):
Riding that train hits me. Deep.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
The light rail brought this city access to jobs, access
to education.
Speaker 4 (28:12):
People could take the train to college.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
It really put Charlotte on the map, and this incident
has really really injured that. Now the Carlos Brown Junior,
who we allege stabbed Erna Sarutska, is in state custody
on first degree murder charges. But I'm here today to
announce that we're going to supplement those state charges with
federal charges. These federal charges will go alongside the murder
(28:37):
case and state court, and we hope that they will
insure justice for Erna, for her family, and for the
whole Charlotte community, for.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
The whole Charlotte community. There from Russ Ferguson. He then
went into additional details about what these federal charges are
and why they're going after them.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
The charge we are bringing is in Title eighteen, which
is the Criminal Code, at section nineteen ninety two a seven,
which is the law all that Congress passed really for
this situation. It is an act of violence on a
mass transportation system. It is a law that is there
because acts like this affect the American Way, It affects
our daily life.
Speaker 4 (29:11):
It is random acts on a train.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
That are the thoroughbred and how we get through our
cities to work or places of education to our families.
Speaker 4 (29:20):
It is our way of American life.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Crime makes people stop taking that light rail, that give
up those opportunities, and we're here to be sure that
we can save our city and bring those opportunities back.
The maximum penalty for this federal crime is life in
prison without parole or the death penalty. Of course, each
individual case receives its own sentencing hearing by a federal
judge that will decide the sentence based on the individual
(29:42):
factors in this case. Of course, at this point, we're
only making allegations. We do have a charge. We filed
a criminal complaint. It has been signed by a federal judge.
The charges have been brought, but they are just charges.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
That's Russ Ferguson, the US Attorney for the Western District
of North Carolina. Getting some additional reaction in James Barnacle Junior,
the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in charge, said that Americans
should be able to travel without fear and violence in
a press release yesterday, saying quote, Irena Zaruska had likely
taken that train ride many times before she was probably
(30:16):
tired after a day of work and just wanted to
go home, but tragically she never made it. We hope
this of these federal charges will help bring her family
a measure of justice, and the courts will hold the
subject charged in this horrific act accountable. Everyone in this
country deserves to go to work, to school, or just
across town without the fear of being attacked. Attorney General
(30:39):
Pam Bondi also continued to spotlight the failed policies that
she says enabled this tragedy, echoing similar remarks made by others,
including President Donald Trump, saying Irena Zaruska was a young
woman living the American dream. Her horrific murder is a
direct result of failed soft on crime policies that put
criminals before in a sad sent people. We've got some
(31:01):
additional details on everything that we've been tracking on this
situation out of Charlotte over on our website this morning
at Carolina Journal dot com. That's going to do it
for a Wednesday edition at WBT News is next, followed
by Good Morning BT. We're back with you tomorrow morning,
five to six right here on News Talk eleven, ten
and ninety nine three WBT
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