Robert Trout III, Making Threats, Florida 2023

St. Petersburg Man Charged With Making Threats of a Mass Shooting

Tampa, Florida – In a disturbing turn of events, 19-year-old Robert Trout III of St. Petersburg, Florida, faces federal charges for making threats of a mass shooting. According to the complaint, Trout knowingly transmitted a true threat in interstate commerce, which could lead to a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

The complaint alleges that Trout posted a video on Instagram, where he made threats to go to New York City and 'cause havoc on the subway' by shooting 'anybody' that he sees. Trout further threatened that this shooting would occur on the evening of Thanksgiving, November 23, 2023, and stated 'if you're from New York City, do not take the train on Thursday evening.'

During the video, Trout displayed multiple firearms, including two semi-automatic firearms with extended clips containing a total of 60 bullets while stating 'that's sixty shots - that's sixty people dead.' The investigation found that Trout made these threatening posts after several recent postings on his Instagram account and witness statements identified him as the person responsible for making the threats.

Trout made his initial appearance in federal court in Tampa, Florida, on December 7, 2023, and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Pinellas Park Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brooke Padgett.

Trout, a 19-year-old St. Petersburg man, faces the charge of knowingly transmitting in interstate commerce a true threat. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

Mandatory Facts:

1. Defendant/Respondent Name: Robert Trout III

2. Exact Criminal Charges: Knowingly transmitting in interstate commerce a true threat

3. City and State: Tampa, Florida

4. Exact Date: November 23, 2023, and December 7, 2023

5. Sentence or Outcome: Detained pending further proceedings

6. Dollar Amounts: None applicable

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/st-petersburg-man-charged-making-threats-mass-shooting