OAN Staff Cory Hawkins
4:59 PM – Thursday, February 5, 2026
A 14-year-old boy in Florida was taken into custody after an anonymous tip alerted authorities to potential violent threats and access to firearms. Investigators later determined the teen had discussed plans for a mass shooting at a local church and found child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his electronic devices.
The investigation into Jose Pagan Jr., 14, was initiated on January 27th after Florida law enforcement intercepted suspected child exploitation activity traced directly to the IP address of his Wimauma residence. This digital footprint coincided with an anonymous tip alerting authorities to potential violent threats and Pagan’s possible access to firearms.
In a press release, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stated that Pagan had deep ideological ties to a violent neo-Nazi and “Satanic” (Luciferian) extremist group called the “Temple of Love.”
The authorities’ press release did not indicate that the 14-year-old’s surname, “Pagan,” was an adopted or changed name related to his ideological beliefs, despite the linguistic coincidence with the term “paganism.”
Although Sheriff Chad Chronister explicitly referred to the group as the “Temple of Love” during his press conference, the description he provided — a neo-Nazi, Satanic organization that promotes “spiritual enlightenment” through violence — closely aligns with the ideology of the extremist group known as the Tempel ov Blood (ToB). It remains unclear whether the group operates under multiple names or whether the sheriff misspoke when identifying it.
The group has been described by law enforcement as a nationally recognized extremist organization. It promotes violence as a “path to spiritual enlightenment or personal transcendence,” blending White supremacist ideology with Luciferian and occult elements.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office explained further that a subsequent search of Pagan’s home uncovered multiple guns, ammunition, and electronic devices containing highly graphic child sexual abuse material (CSAM). It remains unclear who the firearms are registered to.
“Detectives serve a search warrant and realized that the computers [were] linked to this 14-year-old,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Doing a cursory search, they discovered 14 extremely graphic, disturbing images where individuals were inflicting violence towards infants and toddlers.”
“The age of the individual involved does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes,” Chronister continued. “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.”
While the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly named the specific Wimauma church targeted by Pagan, they have taken proactive measures to ensure community safety. As a precaution, deputies have increased patrols at two Christian churches located in close proximity to his residence that align with the nature of the threats.
“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,” the sheriff continued.
Currently, the charges Pagan faces are as follows:
- 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 (x14)
- Unlawful use of a two-way communications device (x2)
As the investigation enters its next phase, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is conducting extensive forensic examinations of Pagan’s digital devices. Authorities have indicated that the current charges may only be the beginning — if additional graphic material or evidence of further criminal activity is uncovered, he could face supplemental charges.
Ultimately, the decision on how this case proceeds through the legal system rests with the State Attorney’s Office, which is currently reviewing the evidence to determine if the 14-year-old will be charged as an adult.
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