A fantasy football dispute took a serious turn when a 25-year-old man from Philadelphia pleaded guilty to two counts of interstate and foreign communication of threats. The man, identified as Matthew Gabriel, engaged in a rivalry with a fellow player in his fantasy football chat group, leading to a series of false accusations and threats.
The incident began when Gabriel, upset over an online disagreement, falsely tipped off the Norwegian Police Security Service about his rival's alleged plans to carry out a mass shooting in Norway during a study abroad trip. This baseless claim prompted a five-day investigation involving law enforcement agencies in both Norway and the United States.
Subsequently, Gabriel sent another fictitious threat via email to the University of Iowa, falsely implicating the same fantasy football group member in a bomb threat. These actions not only disrupted law enforcement operations but also diverted resources from genuine security concerns.
As a result of his actions, Gabriel now faces federal charges and a potential sentence of up to five years in prison along with a $250,000 fine. US Attorney Jacqueline Romero emphasized that hoax threats are criminal offenses and warned against the serious consequences of such behavior.
Despite being released on bond, Gabriel is scheduled for sentencing in January 2025. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of making false threats, especially in the context of online disputes and rivalries.
