A teenage boy has been charged in Virginia with being behind multiple swatting incidents in which bombs and shootings were falsely reported at various schools in Stafford County.
From May to September of last year, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office said false reports of bombs and shootings at Stafford High School, Brook Point High School, Dixon Smith Middle School, and Drew Middle School led to a massive law enforcement response. Responded to several swatting incidents that led to the lockdown. And evacuate.
The sheriff’s office said all of the calls were determined to be false reports, but they left many students, staff and parents concerned.
What is the “Criminal Harassment” hoax that has attacked three Republican members of Congress since Christmas? “Swatting”?
A teenage boy has been charged in Virginia with being behind multiple swatting incidents in which bombs and shootings were falsely reported at various schools in Stafford County. (Stafford County Sheriff’s Office)
Detectives examined phone records and secured a search warrant for the teenager’s Stafford County home in September. Detectives who searched the home found computers, hard drives and a server the sheriff’s office said was likely comparable to the National Security Agency.
As a result of the investigation, the boy who lived in the home was charged with aiding and abetting terrorism and falsely subpoenaing law enforcement.
As part of a plea deal in Stafford Juvenile and Family Court, the teenager pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiracy to commit terroristic threats and two counts of falsely subpoenaing law enforcement. All electronic equipment was confiscated to the Commonwealth.
“This is an ongoing investigation that spans the United States and internationally,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release. “We will continue to work closely with Stafford County Public Schools to provide a safe learning environment for our students and staff.”
Washington state man charged with more than 20 swatting calls in US, Canada pleads guilty
The teen pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiracy to make terrorist threats and two counts of falsely subpoenaing law enforcement. (eye stock)
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Swatting involves targeting a person by filing a false police report at the target’s home about a violent crime, such as a murder, hostage situation, or other crime that requires a stronger law enforcement response. Masu. The purpose of the false police report is to prompt a SWAT team to respond to the target’s home.
Such misinformation can have deadly consequences. In 2017, a police officer shot and killed a man in Wichita, Kansas, after responding to a fake emergency call.
Since Christmas, several swatting incidents have targeted Republican and Democratic public officials. Republican presidential candidate Nikki HaleySen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Rep. Brandon Williams (RN.Y.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Boston Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, and Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shena・Bellows.
