A California teenager, 18, from Lancaster, pleaded guilty to four counts of making interstate threats to injure others. The charges stem from incidents involving swatting, a dangerous practice of making false emergency calls to prompt a large police response.
The teenager targeted various institutions and individuals, including a Florida mosque, with threats of mass shootings, bombings, and other violent acts. These threats caused fear and chaos within the affected communities.
The defendant made over 375 swatting and threat calls between August 2022 and January 2024. His targets included religious institutions, schools, government officials, and people across the United States. Notably, the majority of these calls were made when he was just 16 years old.
In addition to the swatting incidents, the teenager also pleaded guilty to making threatening calls to a high school in Washington, a historically black college in Florida, and a police department in Texas. These calls involved false claims of planted bombs and threats of violence.
Authorities highlighted the severe dangers of swatting, emphasizing the risks it poses to first responders and the community at large. The FBI, in collaboration with other agencies, remains committed to investigating and holding individuals like the defendant accountable for engaging in such activities.
The teenager's intent to cause harm and profit from offering swatting-for-a-fee services underscores the seriousness of the offenses. He faces up to five years in prison for each count of making interstate threats, with a sentencing date yet to be determined.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco condemned the defendant's actions, stating that his false threats had far-reaching consequences. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to address swatting as a dangerous and disruptive practice.
The guilty plea marks a significant step in holding the teenager accountable for his actions and sending a clear message about the repercussions of engaging in swatting and making false threats.
