Suspect in stabbing of Rand Paul staffer was released from 12-year prison term 1 day before attack

The man who apparently attacked Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-KY) staffer on Saturday had been released from a 12-year prison sentence just one day before the attack was carried out. 

Glynn Neal, the alleged attacker, was sentenced to 12 years and four months in prison in 2011 on charges of “compelling an individual to live a life of prostitution without his or her consent” and “threat to kidnap to injure a person,” per Fox 5. 

The report noted that Paul staffer Phillip Todd was approached by Neal on a street in Washington, DC before stabbing Todd, resulting in “life-threatening injuries,” according to Paul’s office.

Paul released a statement, saying: "This past weekend a member of my staff was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Washington, D.C. I ask you to join Kelley and me in praying for a speedy and complete recovery, and thanking the first responders, hospital staff, and police for their diligent actions. We are relieved to hear the suspect has been arrested. At this time we would ask for privacy so everyone can focus on healing and recovery.” 

The DC Police Department posted on Twitter, saying that the Metropolitan Police had made an arrest. The arrest was reportedly made in reference to “an Assault with Intent to Kill (Knife).”

The crime comes at a time when the Washington, DC city council had recently proposed a change that would see penalties for violent crimes reduced, but Congress stepped in and President Joe Biden slapped down the proposition.

Though Washington, DC has seen a slight decline of 3 percent in assaults involving a dangerous weapon over the past year, the area has experienced a surge of sexual abuse (up 105 percent), motor vehicle theft (up 108 percent), and arson (up 400 percent) in just the last year. The homicide rate has also risen by 19 percent from 2022 to 2023. Overall crime has gone up by 23 percent in the District of Columbia.