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Global Swatting Ringleader Who Targeted Congress, Churches, Media Pleads Guilty: DOJ
A Romanian man who led a global swatting ring that targeted members of Congress, churches, and even a former US president has pleaded guilty, federal officials announced.
Thomasz Szabo, 26, known online as “Plank,” “Jonah,” and “Cypher,” entered his guilty plea in federal court this week, according to the US Department of Justice.
Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024 and admitted to running a years-long online conspiracy that involved making fake bomb and mass-shooting threats across the United States, investigators said.
He and his crew targeted more than 75 public officials…
Maryland Teen Admits To Making Bomb, Shooting Hoax Calls Across US: DOJ
A 19-year-old from Maryland who helped run an online “Purgatory” group behind a wave of terrifying swatting calls—targeting schools, airports, casinos, and homes—has pleaded guilty in federal court, authorities announced.
Owen Jarboe, of Hagerstown, admitted to conspiracy, cyberstalking, and making interstate threats involving fire and explosives between December 2023 and Jan. 18, 2024, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said that Jarboe and his co-conspirators used Telegram, Instagram, and shared spoofing scripts to mask their identities while triggering police responses to…
Maryland Man Charged For Nationwide Swatting Scheme With Online Group: Feds
Men from Maryland and Virginia are among three who have been charged in connection to a string of swatting incidents across the country, federal authorities announced.
This week, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Owen Jarboe, 18, of Hagerstown, Evan Strauss, 26, of Moneta, Virginia, and Brayden Grace, 18, of Columbus, Ohio with a host of offenses for making swatting calls to multiple police and emergency departments across the country.
According to the six-count indictment, between December 2023 and January 2024, the three, along with others, were part of an online …
