PHILADELPHIA, PA — Federal prosecutors charged a 60-year-old Lafayette Hill man with two counts of cyberstalking, alleging he used online posts and electronic communications to target a local government official, a police officer and members of their families.
Scott Testa was arrested following a federal indictment and appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott W. Reid, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Reid ordered Testa detained in federal custody pending trial.
According to the indictment, Testa allegedly used the internet and email on multiple dates in April 2026 with the intent to harass and intimidate two people affiliated with Whitpain Township. Prosecutors allege the conduct caused, attempted to cause or could reasonably have been expected to cause substantial emotional distress.
Federal prosecutors allege Testa posted an AI-altered image on Reddit depicting one victim wearing a white Ku Klux Klan robe, with the victim’s employer shown in the background. The indictment alleges Testa also posted false information about that victim that he knew was untrue.
According to prosecutors, Testa subsequently posted the names of that victim’s children and an address he believed to be the victim’s home address.
The indictment further alleges that Testa posted another AI-altered image depicting the second victim and members of that person’s family, including minor children, wearing white Ku Klux Klan robes. Prosecutors allege the faces of the family members were visible and that Testa identified the victim and family in connection with the image.
Federal authorities also allege Testa posted threatening messages directed at the second victim, including statements that “we are watching you,” “we are coming” and that the victim would be run out of town.
If convicted on both counts, Testa faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $500,000 fine and a $200 special assessment, according to federal prosecutors.
The FBI Philadelphia Field Office’s Fort Washington Resident Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Jeanette Kang is prosecuting it.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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