A man from Everett, Washington, has been arrested and charged with multiple federal offenses after allegedly threatening to kill a minor in Massachusetts, distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and sharing videos of animals being crushed.
Joseph Pacheco, 23, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston. The charges include knowingly distributing child pornography to a minor, five counts of transmitting threatening communications across state lines, and possession and distribution of animal crushing videos. Pacheco was taken into custody this morning and is expected to appear in the Western District of Washington later today before being transferred to Boston for further proceedings.
According to the indictment, Pacheco’s interactions with the Massachusetts minor and his social media activity were linked to Nihilistic Violent Extremists (NVEs). NVEs are described as individuals who engage in criminal acts aimed at causing societal collapse through chaos and instability. The indictment alleges that NVEs often use social media platforms to connect with others—especially minors—to desensitize them to violence by normalizing illegal acts such as the possession and distribution of CSAM and violent content.
Pacheco is accused of sending several threats to the minor victim on different dates between June 1 and July 13, 2025. These threats included statements such as:
“I will kill you if you ever leave me. I cannot live without you. You’re mine forever.”
“I have your address and I’ll commit a murder suicide.”
“Just self-harm or hit yourself to make yourself useful. I’ll f*****g rape and kill you. I know where you live.”
After an incident involving communication with another person: “Don’t do it again Cause omg. If I caught you one more time I’ll swear I’ll f*****g kill you.”
“If you don’t add me back I promise you I’ll f*****g kill you Kill your whole family.”
If convicted, Pacheco faces significant penalties. Distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 20 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. Transmitting threatening communications can result in up to five years in prison per count, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000 per offense. Distribution of animal crushing videos is punishable by up to seven years in prison, three years supervised release, and similar fines.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI’s Boston Division; and Chief Paul B. Saucier of the Worcester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl from the National Security Unit is leading the prosecution.
This investigation falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation by combining resources from federal, state, and local agencies for apprehension and prosecution efforts (more information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov/).
Authorities remind that all details contained within the indictment are allegations at this stage; Joseph Pacheco remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.