Key facts
- Robert Hlovchiec, 32, was indicted on 12 counts by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh.
- Hlovchiec posted threats of violence against a member of Congress, Muslims, transgender people, and Democrats on YouTube between February and March.
- The indictment includes charges of interstate threats and influencing a federal official by threat.
- Hlovchiec identified himself as a Nazi and white supremacist and expressed desires to carry out mass shootings.
A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted Robert Hlovchiec, 32, on 12 counts, including charges of interstate threats and influencing a federal official, for making violent threats against a member of Congress, Muslims, transgender people, and Democrats. The Department of Justice stated that between February and March, Hlovchiec posted comments on YouTube videos expressing his intent to carry out mass shootings and assassinations.
According to the DOJ, Hlovchiec's threats included statements such as, "If i get the chance im going to do a mass shooting wherever (member of Congress) is standing. (Member of Congress) needs to die ... America is not for sale. America is not a Muslim country." He also reportedly said, "If i get the chance I'll shoot everyone in (member of Congress)'s family. America is a white Christian nation. We are ready to kill and die before foreigner Muslims take over." Hlovchiec identified himself as a Nazi and a white supremacist. U.S. rights advocates have noted rising Islamophobia and political violence due to increasing polarization, anti-immigration policies, and the fallout from the Israel-Gaza war.