A Shaler Township man is now facing federal charges in Pittsburgh after prosecutors say he posted a string of violent threats aimed at a member of Congress in YouTube comments. Robert Hlovchiec, 32, is accused of identifying himself online as a Nazi and white supremacist and threatening mass shootings, assassinations, and even running people over with his truck. The case has already raised alarms among regional civil rights advocates.
According to WPXI, the indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti, charges Hlovchiec with interstate threats as well as influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threat. Prosecutors say the comments were posted between February and March 2026 on YouTube videos, and a federal grand jury named Hlovchiec as the sole defendant. Each count carries a different potential maximum penalty under federal law.
Federal charges and penalties
Under federal law, transmitting a threat in interstate commerce is a crime under 18 U.S.C. § 875, which, according to Cornell Law School, typically carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison plus fines. The related offense of influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official by threat is outlined in 18 U.S.C. § 115 and, as noted by Cornell Law School, can carry up to 10 years for threatened conduct, along with similar fines. Actual federal sentencing depends on the specific facts of the case and any prior criminal record.
Alleged online threats
The indictment, as reported by WPXI, quotes one YouTube comment allegedly posted by Hlovchiec that stated: "If i get the chance im going to do a mass shooting wherever [Victim 1] is standing. [Victim 1] needs to die." Prosecutors say the posts targeted the person identified in the indictment as "Victim 1," along with Democrats, transgender people, and other minority groups, and that Hlovchiec described himself as a Nazi and a white supremacist.
The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh) welcomed the indictment and praised federal law enforcement for treating the threats as serious, according to WPXI.
What happens next
The indictment now moves the case into the federal court system in Pittsburgh, where prosecutors will press the charges and the defense will have an opportunity to answer the allegations. An indictment is a formal accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Local advocates say they will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds and whether it leads to broader action against extremist rhetoric that spills from online comment sections into real-world threats.
