Joshua Atwood, a Pennsylvania man involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, has now been charged in connection with a violent stabbing incident in West Virginia. Atwood, 30, was sentenced in December 2024 for his role in attacking police officers during the Capitol riot. He had used metal and wooden poles to assault officers and taunted them throughout the violence. Now, he faces charges for allegedly stabbing a restaurant owner in Chester, West Virginia, in April 2023.
The incident occurred at the Crazy Donkey Restaurant after a dispute over money Atwood claimed he was owed for handyman work. Atwood allegedly stole money from the cash register and attempted to leave, which led to a physical altercation with the restaurant owner, Jose Mocias-Onate. During the confrontation, Atwood reportedly pulled a concealed knife and stabbed Mocias-Onate in the arm. Mocias-Onate was rushed to a hospital and later transferred to a trauma center in Pittsburgh, where he made a full recovery. Despite the violent incident, the Crazy Donkey Restaurant reopened after temporarily closing.
Atwood was arrested by U.S. Marshals on May 23, 2023, after a manhunt. He is facing charges of armed robbery and malicious assault in connection with the stabbing. His arrest came just months after he was sentenced for his actions on January 6. On December 20, 2024, Atwood was sentenced to 48 months in prison for his involvement in the Capitol riot. He had pleaded guilty to felony charges of assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon during the violent confrontation at the Capitol.
Atwood’s actions on January 6 were described as a significant part of the violent mob that stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Prosecutors noted that Atwood was on the front lines of the assault, using whatever objects he could find as weapons. He was accused of attacking officers with a metal baseball bat, a long silver pole, and a wooden pole, striking multiple officers in the process. He was also reported to have taunted the police, calling them “pieces of s” and accusing them of betraying the country.
Atwood’s violent behavior extended beyond the January 6 riot. A month after the Capitol attack, he was arrested in Hanover Township for disorderly conduct following an argument with officers investigating a traffic crash. During the incident, Atwood allegedly made offensive comments, including comparing the officers to Jews entering concentration camps, which he directed at a Jewish tow-truck driver involved in the altercation.
Atwood’s criminal history dates back to his involvement in the Capitol riot, where he was identified through a tipster who recognized him from a 2011 mug shot. A prominent scar on his forehead further helped authorities identify him. Now, as he faces new charges in West Virginia, Atwood’s criminal conduct continues to escalate, adding to his lengthy history of violent behavior.
