Pasadena Man Indicted in Cyberstalking Case Alleging Threats to Injure, Rape and Kill Victims

Afederal grand jury Tuesday afternoon returned a 26-count indictment thatcharges a Pasadena man with making a series of detailed threats to harm, rapeand kill 10 victims he met in various social and business settings.

SamuelTrelawney Hughes, 31, who is a citizen of the United Kingdom, was charged withseven counts of stalking, nine counts of making online threats, three counts ofmailing threatening communications, and seven counts of witness tampering.

Theindictment alleges that Hughes — sometimes using his real name, and other timesusing aliases or social media accounts designed to conceal his true identity —sent his victims communications in which he expressed hope they would die or inwhich he made specific threats to harm them. For example, in October 2019,after one victim reported prior threats from Hughes to law enforcementauthorities, Hughes allegedly sent the victim an email stating in part:“someone I can guarantee will come out and first bash you head in, rape youslash your throat and burn your car and house.” Hughes allegedly sent anotherthreat that read in part: “I will rip your f—— throat out and stab you inthe eyes and put gasoline over your half mutilated body.”

Courtdocuments state that Hughes used online aliases and handles that includedxavier.herrera666, parsonstheo38, theoparsons4, tony.hawk.exskater,tony.flavelle450, byword.photography, julius.caesar411, charlotte.massey400,and a.total.wanker400.

The FBI began investigating Hughes in May 2019 after one victim filed a complaint with the Internet Crimes Complaint Center. “After being contacted by both the FBI and state law enforcement officers on multiple occasions regarding the threatening communications, Hughes continued to send electronic communications and letters threatening to injure, rape, or kill at least three of the victims who had reported his threats to the police,” according to a criminal complaint previously filed in this case. “In his communications to some victims, Hughes threatened that contacting the police would lead to the injury or death of the victim or the victims’ loved ones.”

Asa result of separate investigations, Hughes was arrested by the Los AngelesPolice Department and the Pasadena Police Department on two occasions in June,which resulted in charges being filed by the Los Angeles County DistrictAttorney’s Office and the Pasadena City Attorney’s Office. Federal prosecutorsfiled a criminal complaint against Hughes on July 10, and he was taken intocustody from state authorities on July 24. Hughes has been in federal custodysince that time.

Thecharges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumedinnocent unless and until proven guilty.

Thestalking counts and the charges stemming from the alleged threats all carry astatutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The witnesstampering counts each carry a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison.

Hughesis scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment in United States District Courton Aug. 13.

TheFBI is investigating this case. Anyone who thinks they may have receivedthreats from Hughes is encouraged to call the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at(310) 477-6565.

Thismatter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Restrepoof the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section.

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