PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Shaler Township, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of interstate threats and influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threat, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.The 12-count Indictment named Robert Hlovchiec, 32, as the sole defendant.According to the Indictment, between February and March 2026, Hlovchiec posted comments to YouTube videos in which he threatened acts of violence against a member of Congress (identified in the Indictment as “Victim 1”), Democrats and liberals, transgender people, and various minority groups. At times, Hlovchiec identified himself as a Nazi and a white supremacist, also detailing the acts of violence he desired to carry out, including mass shootings, assassinations, and running people over with his truck. The Indictment charged Hlovchiec with issuing the following threats:- “If i get the chance im going to do a mass shooting wherever [Victim 1] is standing. [Victim 1] needs to die. All trailers to America beware.
America is not for sale. America is not a Muslim country.”- “If i get the chance I’ll shoot everyone in [Victim 1]’s family. America is a white Christian nation. We are ready to kill and die before foreigner ll Muslims take over”- “I would put a bullet in [Victim 1]’s head. [Victim 1] isn’t American”- “I would shoot [Victim 1] if I get close enough to [Victim 1]”- “I’ll shoot [Victim 1] if I get the chance”- “I’ll put a bullet in any democrats head especially democrat politician or [Victim 1]”As to each of the six counts of interstate threats, the law provides for a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
As to each of the six counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official while they were engaged in, and on account of, their performance of their official duties by threat, the law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan J. McKenna and Alyssa R. Angotti are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.An indictment is an accusation.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.