Community rallies to support Chocolate Avenue shop owners targeted by hate group

Hershey, Pennsylvania — A years-long campaign targeting citizens in and around Hershey by a politically motivated group has recently come to light thanks to the collective efforts of the local community. Conservative professionals were being targeted with hate online through a network of fake profiles in an attempt to intimidate their families, friends and customers, and other citizens who didn’t align with the radical ideology of the group.

A Pennsylvania State Representative, a township board member, multiple shop owners, religious conservatives, and a conservative writer are among the alleged targets, as well as other local citizens. The group was photographing individuals in public, harassing them online, and sending threatening or lewd messages. They were also creating imposter profiles to pose as conservatives in a way to smear their reputation, or to stir division with other local conservatives.

Many of the targets were harassed through Facebook and other social media accounts. Individuals from Dauphin and Lebanon counties have been identified in this group.

Derry Township Police and State Representative Russ Diamond of Lebanon first announced that charges had been filed against Christopher Lancaster, who had also been harassing Diamond online through fake profiles on Facebook over a long period of time, including under the alias ‘Lancaster Jay.’ Photographs of Diamond in public were taken by the group in Lebanon County.

The widerangeing scope of this scandal was initially uncovered when terroristic threats of violence were made towards the family of local conservative writer Sean Guay in July 2024. In that case, a photograph of the target pushing his toddler in a stroller was taken by a member of the group near Guay’s home. The suspect sent the photograph to Guay insinuating that he was being followed.

The owner of Stuff’D Steaks on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey also claims to be the target of this hate group. Brian Boltz said an imposter Facebook page was created online to smear the reputation of his business and he was similarly harassed by ‘Lancaster Jay’ on Facebook. Boltz said his son was also harassed, and their customers were misled by the fake account.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor enjoyed a Stuff’D Steak yesterday on Chocolate Avenue with the Boltz’ family.

In the Hershey Fresh Market, a pasta sauce vendor has also been targeted with intimidation by the same group. Over a period of years The Gumbas Company has been inundated with hate online, and fake profiles misrepresenting their brand and family. The group attempted to stir a fued between the owners of this company and other local conservatives using imposter profiles with fake posts and messages.

Former U.S. Congressman Lou Barletta was photographed today with Mike Mangano, owner of The Gumbas Company.

The Gumbas Company have been harassed and the family has been under constant pressure from left wing groups dating back to 2020 when their sister company Taste of Sicily was cited $10,000 by former Governor Tom Wolf’s strict COVID rules for conservative owners who weren’t granted a special waiver to conduct business. In that case, the Judge ruled Taste of Sicily was unconstitutionally cited.

Efforts by the group to cancel Tucker Carlson’s September appearance in Hershey were attempted in a Letter to the Editor that was published by PennLive.com. Attempts were also made to bait Trump supporters online, for instance, to respond to a controversial post or comment, then broadcast their reaction, or attempt to contact their employer with disreputable information, or otherwise disrupt their life, family, and employment.