(Park City, Utah – January 28, 2026) — A 28-year-old Centerville, Utah, man has been charged with aggravated burglary and assault after allegedly attacking a U.S. congressman at the Sundance Film Festival over the weekend.
Christian Joel Young was charged Tuesday after allegedly punching Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, at a private party.
- Christian Joel Young, 28, faces felony and misdemeanor charges following an altercation at Sundance.
- The incident involved alleged racist remarks and physical assault against U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost and another individual.
- Young was reportedly already on probation for a prior offense at the time of the alleged attack.
Christian Joel Young approached U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost during a private party at High West Saloon in Park City, according to charging documents. Young allegedly made comments to Frost and a friend before stating, “we are going to deport you and your kind,” investigators said.
When the pair attempted to walk away, Young reportedly yelled a racial slur and struck Frost in the face, court documents state. He then allegedly approached a Black woman at the bar and pushed her while shouting, “You are the kind we’re going to deport! You’re being deported!”
Security personnel detained Young until police arrived. Prior to the altercation with Frost, Young had been chased off the property by security after jumping a fence to gain access to the private party, but he re-entered the building, according to court documents.
Frost posted on social media Saturday, stating that Young was heard “screaming racist remarks” as he fled the scene. The congressman also thanked security and Park City police for their assistance.
Why It Matters
This incident occurs amid heightened concerns about political polarization and the rise of extremist rhetoric. The alleged targeting of a Black and Latino elected official with racist and xenophobic language underscores the potential for such rhetoric to escalate into violence. The charges against Young, including enhanced penalties due to the alleged bias motivation, signal a strong response from Utah authorities to hate-motivated crimes.
“He intentionally selected the victims due to his belief or perception regarding their personal attributes,” charging documents explain, indicating prosecutors intend to argue the assault was motivated by bias.
Summit County prosecutors charged Young with one felony count of aggravated burglary and two misdemeanor counts of assault on Tuesday. Under Utah law, Young faces enhanced penalties for the assault charges because he “intentionally selected” the victims based on his “belief or perception regarding their personal attributes,” according to charging documents.
Court documents show that Young was on probation at the time of the alleged altercation, having pleaded guilty to violating a protective order in February 2025. He is currently being held without bail at the Summit County jail.
This is a developing story.
