A man from Tulare, California, Nathaniel Sean Deleon, aged 20, has pleaded guilty to charges of distributing child pornography and making a hoax bomb threat. This was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on December 18, 2024. The charges are linked to a series of retaliatory actions against a minor from Cumberland County in 2023.
U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam revealed that Deleon met the then-16-year-old victim through the Roblox gaming platform, which led to an online relationship that later ended. Following this, between June and November 2023, Deleon orchestrated 23 "swatting" incidents targeting addresses in Cumberland County, primarily those associated with the minor victim. These incidents involved false reports suggesting someone had or was about to commit murder using a gun.
On November 30, 2023, Deleon impersonated the minor victim and falsely informed a suicide prevention worker that pipe bombs were placed at Big Spring High School in Cumberland County. He also claimed there was an individual outside the school with a shotgun. This resulted in the evacuation of approximately 650 students and staff from the school; however, no explosives were found.
In addition to these actions, Deleon distributed sexually explicit videos of the minor victim twice in November 2023.
Deleon has agreed to pay restitution as determined by the Court schedule. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police, with Assistant United States Attorney David C. Williams prosecuting.
Under federal law, Deleon faces a maximum penalty of up to 25 years imprisonment along with supervised release and fines. Sentencing will be decided by a Judge based on federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.