Topline: Investigators say tips from multiple agencies led to the arrest of Jose Pagan Jr., who is also accused of possessing multiple graphic images of child pornography.
Published: February 9, 2026 8:27 am ET
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Jose Pagan Jr. (via Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
WIMAUMA, FL — A 14-year-old Florida boy was arrested late last month after investigators say he threatened to carry out a mass shooting at a church near his home while also possessing graphic child sexual abuse material.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a tip on Jan. 31 warning that Jose Pagan Jr. had access to weapons and was planning an attack at a nearby church in Wimauma. Authorities said the information prompted an immediate response as investigators also discovered Pagan may have been connected to an ongoing HCSO child pornography investigation.
HCSO said the child exploitation investigation began several days earlier, on Jan. 27, after detectives received information linking suspected child abuse material to the IP address at Pagan’s residence, according to reporting by WTVT. Investigators later searched the home and Pagan’s computer, where they recovered 14 graphic images depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, the sheriff’s office said.
Just days after that inquiry began, the sheriff’s office received additional information from Joint Terrorism Task Forces regarding threats of mass violence, according to WTVT. Investigators said Pagan was active in an online chatroom associated with violent extremists and discussed plans to carry out a mass shooting at a church near his home, though he did not specify which church was being targeted.
According to HCSO, Pagan was also linked to a nationally recognized neo-Nazi satanic extremist group known as the “Temple of Love,” which authorities say promotes violence as a form of spiritual enlightenment. The sheriff’s office said some of the evidence recovered included photos of Pagan dressed in black and wearing a white T-shirt bearing the symbol “NLM,” short for “No Lives Matter,” according to WTVT.
After executing a search warrant at the residence, deputies recovered multiple firearms, ammunition and electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material, HCSO said. WTVT reported that one firearm was found on a nightstand belonging to Pagan’s father, while the remaining weapons in the home were secured inside a locked safe.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the material found during the search was deeply disturbing. “Images too graphic and too disturbing too discuss because they would keep all of you up at night,” Chronister said, according to WFTS.
Chronister emphasized that Pagan’s age did not diminish the severity of the allegations.
“The age of the individual involved does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes,” he said in a statement released by HCSO. “Threats of mass violence and the exploitation of children demand immediate action, and we will always move swiftly to protect lives and hold those responsible accountable.”
In additional remarks reported by WTVT, Chronister expressed concern about Pagan’s potential release following a juvenile hold. “After the 21-day juvenile hold of this juvenile based on the seriousness of these crimes, I am extremely worried about this 14-year-old integrating right back into our community, where our loved ones live,” he said.
Investigators told WTVT that Pagan appeared largely unbothered during questioning and described his behavior as “trying to be edgy.”
As a precaution, HCSO said two churches near Pagan’s home are being patrolled throughout the day. The sheriff’s office also warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity. “Don’t let the age of this suspect diminish the seriousness of these crimes he committed,” Chronister said, according to WTVT. “There’s no such thing as being a helicopter parent. There’s no such thing as over-parenting. Make sure you’re monitoring your child’s online activity — who they’re associating with and who they’re talking to.”
Pagan was arrested on Jan. 31 and charged as a juvenile with a written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, in-state transmission of child pornography by electronic device, solicitation or possession of child pornography involving 10 or more images and content of images in 14 counts, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device in two counts, according to HCSO.
The sheriff’s office said additional charges are possible as forensic examinations of Pagan’s electronic devices continue. The State Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide whether Pagan will be charged as an adult, authorities said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Investigators say tips from multiple agencies led to the arrest of Jose Pagan Jr., who is also accused of possessing multiple graphic images of child pornography.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 9, 2026 8:27 am ET
Jose Pagan Jr. (via Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
WIMAUMA, FL — A 14-year-old Florida boy was arrested late last month after investigators say he threatened to carry out a mass shooting at a church near his home while also possessing graphic child sexual abuse material.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a tip on Jan. 31 warning that Jose Pagan Jr. had access to weapons and was planning an attack at a nearby church in Wimauma. Authorities said the information prompted an immediate response as investigators also discovered Pagan may have been connected to an ongoing HCSO child pornography investigation.
HCSO said the child exploitation investigation began several days earlier, on Jan. 27, after detectives received information linking suspected child abuse material to the IP address at Pagan’s residence, according to reporting by WTVT. Investigators later searched the home and Pagan’s computer, where they recovered 14 graphic images depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, the sheriff’s office said.
Just days after that inquiry began, the sheriff’s office received additional information from Joint Terrorism Task Forces regarding threats of mass violence, according to WTVT. Investigators said Pagan was active in an online chatroom associated with violent extremists and discussed plans to carry out a mass shooting at a church near his home, though he did not specify which church was being targeted.
According to HCSO, Pagan was also linked to a nationally recognized neo-Nazi satanic extremist group known as the “Temple of Love,” which authorities say promotes violence as a form of spiritual enlightenment. The sheriff’s office said some of the evidence recovered included photos of Pagan dressed in black and wearing a white T-shirt bearing the symbol “NLM,” short for “No Lives Matter,” according to WTVT.
After executing a search warrant at the residence, deputies recovered multiple firearms, ammunition and electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material, HCSO said. WTVT reported that one firearm was found on a nightstand belonging to Pagan’s father, while the remaining weapons in the home were secured inside a locked safe.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the material found during the search was deeply disturbing. “Images too graphic and too disturbing too discuss because they would keep all of you up at night,” Chronister said, according to WFTS.
Chronister emphasized that Pagan’s age did not diminish the severity of the allegations.
“The age of the individual involved does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes,” he said in a statement released by HCSO. “Threats of mass violence and the exploitation of children demand immediate action, and we will always move swiftly to protect lives and hold those responsible accountable.”
In additional remarks reported by WTVT, Chronister expressed concern about Pagan’s potential release following a juvenile hold. “After the 21-day juvenile hold of this juvenile based on the seriousness of these crimes, I am extremely worried about this 14-year-old integrating right back into our community, where our loved ones live,” he said.
Investigators told WTVT that Pagan appeared largely unbothered during questioning and described his behavior as “trying to be edgy.”
As a precaution, HCSO said two churches near Pagan’s home are being patrolled throughout the day. The sheriff’s office also warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity. “Don’t let the age of this suspect diminish the seriousness of these crimes he committed,” Chronister said, according to WTVT. “There’s no such thing as being a helicopter parent. There’s no such thing as over-parenting. Make sure you’re monitoring your child’s online activity — who they’re associating with and who they’re talking to.”
Pagan was arrested on Jan. 31 and charged as a juvenile with a written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, in-state transmission of child pornography by electronic device, solicitation or possession of child pornography involving 10 or more images and content of images in 14 counts, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device in two counts, according to HCSO.
The sheriff’s office said additional charges are possible as forensic examinations of Pagan’s electronic devices continue. The State Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide whether Pagan will be charged as an adult, authorities said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
14-Year-Old Involved in Extremist Group Busted for Allegedly Plotting Mass Shooting at Florida Church
Investigators say tips from multiple agencies led to the arrest of Jose Pagan Jr., who is also accused of possessing multiple graphic images of child pornography.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 9, 2026 8:27 am ET
Jose Pagan Jr. (via Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
WIMAUMA, FL — A 14-year-old Florida boy was arrested late last month after investigators say he threatened to carry out a mass shooting at a church near his home while also possessing graphic child sexual abuse material.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a tip on Jan. 31 warning that Jose Pagan Jr. had access to weapons and was planning an attack at a nearby church in Wimauma. Authorities said the information prompted an immediate response as investigators also discovered Pagan may have been connected to an ongoing HCSO child pornography investigation.
HCSO said the child exploitation investigation began several days earlier, on Jan. 27, after detectives received information linking suspected child abuse material to the IP address at Pagan’s residence, according to reporting by WTVT. Investigators later searched the home and Pagan’s computer, where they recovered 14 graphic images depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, the sheriff’s office said.
Just days after that inquiry began, the sheriff’s office received additional information from Joint Terrorism Task Forces regarding threats of mass violence, according to WTVT. Investigators said Pagan was active in an online chatroom associated with violent extremists and discussed plans to carry out a mass shooting at a church near his home, though he did not specify which church was being targeted.
According to HCSO, Pagan was also linked to a nationally recognized neo-Nazi satanic extremist group known as the “Temple of Love,” which authorities say promotes violence as a form of spiritual enlightenment. The sheriff’s office said some of the evidence recovered included photos of Pagan dressed in black and wearing a white T-shirt bearing the symbol “NLM,” short for “No Lives Matter,” according to WTVT.
After executing a search warrant at the residence, deputies recovered multiple firearms, ammunition and electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material, HCSO said. WTVT reported that one firearm was found on a nightstand belonging to Pagan’s father, while the remaining weapons in the home were secured inside a locked safe.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the material found during the search was deeply disturbing. “Images too graphic and too disturbing too discuss because they would keep all of you up at night,” Chronister said, according to WFTS.
Chronister emphasized that Pagan’s age did not diminish the severity of the allegations.
“The age of the individual involved does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes,” he said in a statement released by HCSO. “Threats of mass violence and the exploitation of children demand immediate action, and we will always move swiftly to protect lives and hold those responsible accountable.”
In additional remarks reported by WTVT, Chronister expressed concern about Pagan’s potential release following a juvenile hold. “After the 21-day juvenile hold of this juvenile based on the seriousness of these crimes, I am extremely worried about this 14-year-old integrating right back into our community, where our loved ones live,” he said.
Investigators told WTVT that Pagan appeared largely unbothered during questioning and described his behavior as “trying to be edgy.”
As a precaution, HCSO said two churches near Pagan’s home are being patrolled throughout the day. The sheriff’s office also warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity. “Don’t let the age of this suspect diminish the seriousness of these crimes he committed,” Chronister said, according to WTVT. “There’s no such thing as being a helicopter parent. There’s no such thing as over-parenting. Make sure you’re monitoring your child’s online activity — who they’re associating with and who they’re talking to.”
Pagan was arrested on Jan. 31 and charged as a juvenile with a written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, in-state transmission of child pornography by electronic device, solicitation or possession of child pornography involving 10 or more images and content of images in 14 counts, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device in two counts, according to HCSO.
The sheriff’s office said additional charges are possible as forensic examinations of Pagan’s electronic devices continue. The State Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide whether Pagan will be charged as an adult, authorities said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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