'Fist Pump' NJ Man Enticed Viewers to Sexually Assault NYC Woman, Prosecutor Charges

Hazlet, NJ - A Hazlet man who also owned a live online broadcasting service known as SwerveCast was arrested Monday at his home on Ned Drive.

Robert Ianuale, 32, engaged in the prostitution of juvenile girls and on at least one occasion, tried to lure online viewers to sexually assault a woman and broadcast the assault live over the Internet, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in a shocking charge Monday.

Ianuale, using his online moniker “Fist Pump,” engaged in an online broadcast in May 2015, when he attempted to lure or entice individuals watching his broadcast to sexually assault a 25-year-old New York City woman outside her place of employment. Ianuale offered $100 to anyone who would sexually assault the woman and broadcast the event live, Gramiccioni charges.

The investigation also found Ianuale, as the owner/operator of SwerveCast, would allow juvenile girls to engage in sexual acts during broadcasts available only to users who paid to view the online broadcasts. In turn, viewers could “tip” the girls using virtual currency that was under the control of Ianuale, and he would pay a percentage of the tipped amount to the juvenile girls in exchange for performing sex acts online.

The victims in this case are a 14-year-old Maryland girl and a 14-year-old Middlesex County girl, prosecutors said. However, they think more underage victims are out there.

Ianuale broadcasts out of Keyport and is the same man who was featured in a "Chasing NJ" episode when he said he was the victim of a "swatting" incident, or when someone calls in a fake threat, and local police deploy a SWAT team to your home.

Ianuale is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold on a $450,000 cash-only bail.

Additionally, his brother, Philip Ianuale, 30, of the same Ned Drive address in Hazlet as Robert, was arrested Monday by the Hazlet Police Department and charged with one count each of fourth degree Obstructing the Administration of Law, third degree Resisting Arrest and disorderly persons charges for Possession of Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Ianuale was arrested following the culmination of an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Homeland Security Investigations Division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Investigators believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone who witnessed similar behavior or knows of a juvenile who may have participated in similar broadcasts on SwerveCast to call Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective John Sosdian at 732-431-7160 ext. 6592. Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about SwerveCast or Ianuale may contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers’ confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; or texting "MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637.

Photo: Robert Ianuale in his LinkedIn photo.