Moore sponsors legislation ending cashless bail following Charlotte murder
Following the recent murder in Charlotte of Ukrainian Iryana Zaruska, US Rep. Tim Moore, R-NC14, introduced “The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act,” HR 5213, alongside Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY21; and Rep. John James, R-MI10; that would end cashless bail.
“Iryna Zaruska should still be alive — her blood is on the hands of every single person who made it possible for this monster to walk free,” said Moore in a press release. “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 dime of federal support.”
DeCarlos Brown, who allegedly killed Zaruska, was convicted of 14 other crimes and was released on a promise to appear.
A woman fled Ukraine and came to Charlotte for a better life. Instead, she was murdered in cold blood by a career criminal.
Soft-on-crime policies are the opposite of compassionate — they embolden repeat offenders and endanger the innocent. This must end, NOW. pic.twitter.com/EVkhISVNw0
— Congressman Tim Moore (@RepTimMooreNC) September 8, 2025
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Iryna Zarutska should still be alive. Her blood is on the hands of everyone who enabled this 14x career criminal to walk free.
Today, I was proud to colead @RepStefanik‘s “Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act” to end cashless bail. pic.twitter.com/qHZpV6YxOe
— Congressman Tim Moore (@RepTimMooreNC) September 9, 2025
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HR 5213 would bar any state or local government from receiving federal funds if they ban cash bail for all offenders or fail to enforce pretrial detention for all violent offenders, including juveniles.
“Under Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, cashless bail policies in New York pose a clear and present danger to the Nation and must be terminated,” said Stefanik in a press release. “Today, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and I are working alongside President Trump to end the cashless bail disaster. We can’t allow arrested individuals who are awaiting trial to be released back onto the streets to commit more crimes against their communities.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, is leading the companion legislation in the Senate. Blackburn also recently declared she will be running for governor in Tennessee, setting up a gubernatorial primary, as she will run against Rep. John Rose, R-TN6. Gov. Bill Lee has run two consecutive four-year terms and is unable to seek a third term.
“Cashless bail and other soft-on-crime policies have empowered violent criminals across our country, putting the lives of law-abiding citizens at risk,” said Blackburn, in a press release. “President Trump is leading the charge to restore law and order by ending these failed policies, and Congresswoman Stefanik and I are backing his efforts by introducing two bills to end cashless bail and keep violent offenders behind bars.”
What happened to Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte is sickening.
The perpetrator was a known criminal with 14 prior arrests, and Iryna’s death is the tragic consequence of soft-on-crime agendas. This must end.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) September 9, 2025
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Rose made the following post on X on Sept. 8, the day the story on the murder of Zaruska broke.
Criminals are treated like victims and victims are treated like criminals.
Until that changes, cities like Memphis, Chicago, and Detroit will keep spiraling into chaos. It’s time to put victims FIRST and restore law and order to our neighborhoods.
— Congressman John Rose (@RepJohnRose) September 8, 2025
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A statement from the White House blames Democrats for the murder of Zaruska, saying that while they did not wield the knife, “radical left policies” such as no cash bail, and defunding the police. The Trump administration argued that Democrat judges released Brown following his most recent arrest in January, despite his lengthy rap sheet.
“Magistrate Stokes’s actions in the case of Decarlos Brown, Jr. clearly meet both of these grounds for removal,” wrote lawmakers. “In January 2025, Magistrate Stokes authorized the release of Brown based solely on his ‘written promise’ to appear for a future court date. This decision was made despite Brown’s extensive criminal history, which included at least 14 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. In 2014, he was sentenced to five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous firearm. The January charge, a Class 1 misdemeanor, arose after Brown became combative with police officers. Yet despite this history of violent and unstable behavior, Magistrate Stokes released Brown without requiring bond or imposing any meaningful conditions to safeguard the public.”
In addition, on Sept. 9, the North Carolina Republican Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Judge Roy H. Wiggins, the chief judge of North Carolina Judicial District 26, calling for the judge who released Brown to be fired.
The congressman also weighed in individually in other press statements, as seen below:
“Why would a judge knowingly let a repeat criminal with serious mental issues out on our streets?” said Rep. Mark Harris, R-NC8.” Pro-crime judges must be held responsible for their failure to carry out the most basic, commonsense duties. We must ensure there are no future Iryna Zarutskas.”
“Magistrate Stokes’ rulings highlight exactly why liberal soft-on-crime policies are failing our communities locally and nationwide,” Rep. David Rouzer, R-NC7. “When lenient laws meet lenient judges, public safety takes a back seat. This tragic loss of a life was absolutely preventable.”
“Moore sponsors legislation ending cashless bail following Charlotte murder” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.
