Overview
- Joseph Pacheco, 23, of Everett, Washington, was indicted in Boston on charges of transmitting interstate threats, distributing child sexual abuse material to a minor, and possessing and distributing animal‑crushing videos.
- Charging documents allege five explicit murder threats sent to the Massachusetts victim between June 1 and July 13, including messages referencing a murder‑suicide and harm to the victim’s family.
- Authorities arrested Pacheco in Washington, and he is slated to appear in federal court in Boston.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office says his online posts aligned with goals of so‑called nihilistic violent extremists who normalize exposure to gore and groom minors toward violence.
- Reported statutory exposure includes up to 20 years in prison on the child pornography counts, potential lifetime supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.