U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam | U.S. Department of Justice
Nathaniel Sean Deleon, a 20-year-old resident of Tulare, California, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution of child pornography and making a hoax bomb threat. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania made this announcement following Deleon's plea on December 18, 2024. The charges stem from actions against a minor in Cumberland County during 2023.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, court documents and statements revealed that Deleon met the minor victim, then aged 16, on the Roblox gaming platform. After their online relationship ended, between June and November 2023, Deleon instigated law enforcement responses to 23 "swatting" incidents in Cumberland County, mostly targeting addresses linked to the minor victim. These calls falsely reported situations involving guns and potential killings.
On November 30, 2023, posing as the minor victim, Deleon contacted a suicide prevention worker via an internet messaging app claiming that pipe bombs had been placed at Big Spring High School in Cumberland County and that someone was outside with a shotgun. This led to the evacuation of approximately 650 students and staff from the school; however, no explosives were found.
Additionally, in November 2023, Deleon distributed sexually explicit videos of the minor victim twice.
Deleon has agreed to pay restitution according to a schedule set by the Court. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney David C. Williams is handling prosecution duties for this case.
The offenses carry a maximum combined penalty under federal law of up to 25 years imprisonment followed by supervised release and fines. Sentencing will be determined by considering federal statutes and guidelines.
