Pennsylvania Man Charged With Threatening a Member of Congress in YouTube Comments

A Pennsylvania man was indicted Friday on federal charges of making threats against a member of Congress and others in comments posted to YouTube videos.

Robert Hlovchiec, 32, of Shaler Township, faces a 12-count indictment that includes six counts of interstate threats and six counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threat, U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced. The charges were submitted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh.

The indictment originates from comments Hlovchiec posted on YouTube videos in February and March 2026. Authorities allege the comments named a specific member of Congress, identified in court documents only as “Victim 1,” along with Democrats, liberals, transgender people, and minority groups.

According to the indictment, Hlovchiec posted comments threatening acts of violence. In certain posts, he identified himself as a Nazi and a white supremacist, while detailing plans for mass shootings, assassinations, and running people over with his truck.

The indictment charged Hlovchiec with issuing multiple threats against Victim 1, including the following:

“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.”

“I’ll put a bullet in any democrats head especially democrat politician or [Victim 1]”

The comments appeared on YouTube videos, which were not named.

No arrests or additional incidents were reported in relation to the posts.

The FBI conducted the investigation leading to the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan J. McKenna and Alyssa R. Angotti are prosecuting the case.

Each count of interstate threats holds a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Each count of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

The case follows a documented increase in threats against members of Congress, as well as their families.

The U.S. Capitol Police reported that its Threat Assessment Section probed 14,938 concerning statements in 2025. That marks a 58 percent increase from 9,474 cases in 2024. It is also the third consecutive year of growth. Officials have highlighted the perceived anonymity of online platforms as playing a role in the increase in threats.