A queer-identified Antifa activist who celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk has been arrested in upstate New York on suspicion of felony child sex crimes.

Justin Robert Stroup, 37, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., was arrested on April 30 by the New York State Police following a joint investigation involving Plattsburgh City Police and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He allegedly shared child sex abuse material.

Justin Stroup

Stroup is a leftist activist and guitarist for the left-wing death metal band Dead Solace. The band announced on Instagram after the news of his arrest that they were immediately disbanding.

Justin Stroup, second from left, was a member of the left-wing metal band Dead Solace

“This decision follows recent actions by a member that do not align with our values, our expectations of one another, or the respect we believe should exist within our community,” the band said in a statement.

In 2022, Dead Solace performed a charity concert in Burlington, Vt., co-organized by Planned Parenthood. 

Stroup’s Instagram account

After Charlie Kirk was assassinated last September, Stroup wrote on Facebook: “Rest in P*SS you dirty f*cking fascist.” Earlier that year, he wrote, “I think it’s time to get militant with my anti bigotry once again.”

In fact, Stroup frequently made violent threats on social media over the years in the name of fighting hate.

Justin Stroup celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination

Stroup’s posts also show him to be a vocal Black Lives Matter supporter who advocated for the abolition of law enforcement. Amid the George Floyd BLM-Antifa deadly riots in 2020, Stroup posted violent tirades.

“IF YOU HAVE A RACIST OR HOMOPHOBIC BONE IN YOUR BODY I DO NOT WISH TO KNOW YOU,” he wrote. “I HOPE YOU F*CKING DIE. RID US OF YOUR FILTH.” In June 2020, the following month, he posted, “Kill your local bigot.”

Justin Stroup adopted the Antifa philosophy of advocating for the killing of people deemed bigots and racists

Stroup is facing charges of one count of promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child and one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child. He was released from custody on May 3 on a $5,000 cash bond and has pleaded not guilty. His next court date is scheduled for May 14 in Plattsburgh City Court.

If anyone has information regarding the case, contact the New York State Police at 518-897-2000.