HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) has arrested a 14-year-old from Wimauma on terrorism and child pornography charges.
According to HCSO, authorities received a tip on Jan. 31 about Jose Pagan Jr., claiming the teen had access to weapons and was planning to conduct a mass shooting at a church near his home in Wimauma.
HCSO also determined Pagan was possibly connected to an active HCSO child pornography investigation.
After executing a search warrant for the home, investigators found multiple firearms, ammunition, and electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material.
He was then charged and arrested.
"The age of the individual involved does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "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."
Pagan faces the following charges:
- 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 10 or more images and content of images (14 counts)
- unlawful use of two-way communications device (2 counts)
This investigation is ongoing.
Tampa Bay 28 is showing the minor's mugshot due to the nature of the charges and the active investigation.
This is a developing story. Tampa Bay 28 will provide more details as they become available.
Tampa Bay 28 Mugshot Policy
When a mugshot is used
If the person is still on the loose and a potential threat to the community; if there is a good chance that showing the suspect would help identify additional victims or otherwise protect the public from a serious threat or if the crime or the suspect is of such a significant note that seeing them in a mugshot is in the greater public interest.
Using previous mugshots
Only if the story is specifically talking about that previous crime
We do not show mugshots of victims
This policy started in early 2021
How journalists battle the rise of AI fake news
As News Literacy Week kicks off in partnership with Scripps News, Tampa Bay 28 reporter Michael Paluska sat down with fact-checkers at PolitiFact to learn how they combat misinformation in the age of AI.
