A U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered the detention of Gwen Manot Scholl Agake, also known as John Agake, during his arraignment and detention hearing at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City on July 31. Agake, a 22-year-old lawful resident alien from Egypt living in Salt Lake City, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle and violently attacking its owner with a metal bar.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on July 6 when the victim, working as a security guard at a business, noticed activity near his parked vehicle around 3:20 a.m. Upon approaching his car, he encountered Agake inside. The victim told Agake to leave; however, Agake brandished a long metal bar and demanded the keys. When the victim refused, Agake exited the car and struck him multiple times in the head and shoulders while continuing to demand the keys. The victim managed to escape into his workplace but was pursued by Agake, who further assaulted him inside before breaking out through a window.
The attack was captured on surveillance video and witnessed by another employee via closed-circuit television after being alerted by radio. Police responded quickly after being called by this co-worker. Officers followed a trail of blood left by Agake from an arm injury sustained during his exit from the building and arrested him at another nearby business.
Court documents state that Agake’s application for U.S. citizenship is now on hold due to this indictment; he could face removal or deportation following any period of incarceration if convicted. A jury trial is scheduled for October 6 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced these developments, noting that Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda will prosecute the case with investigative support from an FBI Task Force Officer assigned to Salt Lake City Police Department.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration and violent crime involving transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). Officials emphasized that “an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah enforces federal laws across all 29 counties in Utah—including areas with national parks and Indian reservations—and operates under the Department of Justice with offices in Salt Lake City and St. George; it employs about 85 people including 45 assistant attorneys while advancing community well-being through public safety initiatives, according to its official website.