New court records lay out how Florida congressman was allegedly attacked at Sundance party

Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida listens during a panel discussion in Washington, Jan. 10, 2023. Photo: AP Photo, Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File

PARK CITY, Utah — Newly filed court documents provide the most detailed account to date of what police say happened during a Jan. 24 assault at a private Sundance Film Festival event at High West Saloon in downtown Park City.

According to an Affidavit of Probable Cause, Park City police were dispatched to the distillery after security staff detained a man suspected of assaulting multiple patrons at an invitation-only event.

Police wrote that security personnel told them the event was closed to the public, with guards stationed at all entrances and a security fence surrounding the property. The affidavit states that Christian Joel Young was denied entry, later seen jumping over the fence, confronted by security, and believed to have reentered the venue unlawfully a second time.

Officers reported speaking with the first victim, identified as Maxwell Frost, a sitting Democratic U.S. Congressman from Florida, who said Young approached him and a friend and made repeated comments about their race. The affidavit states Young pulled both parties in close “like he was hugging them around their necks” and then said, “we are going to deport you and your kind”.

Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.

Thank you to the venue security and… https://t.co/Nhpj5rl3JO

— Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@RepMaxwellFrost) January 24, 2026

According to the report, when the two pushed Young away, he allegedly yelled a racial slur and punched Frost in the face before running into the crowd.

Police said a second victim, told officers Young approached her and a friend at the bar earlier in the evening and became agitated when she stopped engaging with him. The affidavit states Young grabbed her shoulder with both hands, pushed her against the bar, and shouted, “You are the kind we are going to deport. You’re being deported”.

An unidentified patron reportedly restrained Young until security staff arrived. Officers noted that when questioned, Young claimed he did not remember what happened and said he did not know his own name, though police wrote that he responded when addressed by name and appeared to be intentionally evasive rather than impaired .

The affidavit also states Young was found carrying a Sundance Film Festival administrative access pass that was not issued in his name, which police confiscated and returned to festival administrators due to security concerns.

Police wrote that there was probable cause to charge Young with aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official, and assault.

The charging document states that Young is subject to enhanced penalties on both assault counts under Utah Code 76-3-203.14, alleging he intentionally selected the victims based on his belief or perception of their personal attributes.

Young has not entered a plea and the case remains pending in Summit County’s 3rd District Court.