By: Paul Goldberg – Senior Correspondent | LGBT Politics USA

LAS VEGAS, NV — (July 2, 2026) — Federal prosecutors have charged a Puerto Rico resident after an FBI investigation into violent online threats targeting the LGBTQ+ community expanded into a child exploitation case involving alleged child sexual abuse material (CSAM).




According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Robinson De La Cruz Hilario now faces multiple federal charges, including interstate communication of threats, receipt of child sexual abuse material, and possession of obscene visual representations depicting child sexual abuse.

The charges follow a months-long investigation initiated after authorities received reports of violent social media activity directed at LGBTQ+ individuals and Pride celebrations.

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FBI Investigation Began After Reports of Violent Online Threats

The investigation began in February after the FBI received information regarding a series of online posts that allegedly advocated mass violence against LGBTQ+ people.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, investigators reviewed numerous social media posts that allegedly promoted attacks on members of the LGBTQ community and referenced PRIDE-related events. Federal authorities stated that the online activity raised sufficient concern to open a criminal investigation.

Court documents filed in federal court allege that De La Cruz Hilario shared a tactical-style map of a venue known for serving the LGBTQ community while posting messages encouraging violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Prosecutors also allege that several posts praised the perpetrator of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre and included extremist imagery associated with neo-Nazi ideology.




Search Warrant Revealed Additional Federal Offenses

After obtaining federal search warrants for the defendant’s online accounts, investigators allegedly discovered hundreds of AI-generated or illustrated depictions of child sexual abuse, along with seven videos that prosecutors identified as child sexual abuse material.

The discovery significantly broadened the scope of the investigation beyond the original threats case, resulting in additional federal child exploitation charges.

Federal prosecutors contend that the evidence recovered from the defendant’s electronic accounts supports multiple felony offenses under federal law.




Defendant Claims Posts Were Intended as “Trolling”

According to the federal affidavit, De La Cruz Hilario admitted ownership of the social media accounts during an interview with investigators.

He also acknowledged researching firearms but reportedly told agents that his online posts were intended to intimidate Pride organizers into canceling events rather than to carry out an actual attack. Prosecutors included those statements in the criminal complaint while continuing to pursue the charges.

Authorities emphasized that investigators found no evidence indicating an imminent attack was being planned. However, officials allege that the repeated violent statements, combined with the evidence uncovered during the investigation, justified the federal prosecution.




Federal Charges Remain Allegations

The criminal complaint represents allegations that have not yet been proven in court. Like all criminal defendants in the United States, De La Cruz Hilario is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case remains pending in federal court.

For continuing coverage of federal investigations, LGBTQ public safety, and breaking crime news impacting the community, follow JRL CHARTS LGBTQ Crime News—your trusted source for factual, SEO-authority journalism.




Paul Goldberg
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