A court has sentenced a Romanian man to two years in federal prison for heading up an online swatting right that targeted public officials, churches, journalists, and even former President Joe Biden.
Thomasz Szabo pleaded guilty to conspiracy and threats involving explosives. The judge ordered him to also serve three years of supervised release after he serves his prison sentence, according to a Justice Department press release.
Szabo’s operation targeted more than 75 public officials, four religious institutions, and multiple journalists in a national web of threats and false emergency reports. The DOJ identified the perpetrator by the aliases “Plan,” “Jonah,” and “Cypher.”
He founded and led the group starting in late 2020. The network used fake bomb threats and false emergency reports to send armed police to victims’ homes. In one instance, the group made a false threat in December 2020 about a mass shooting at New York City synagogues. In 2021, it claimed someone would detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and that Biden would be killed.
Thomasz Szabo, 27, of Romania, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for his role as leader of an online swatting ring that targeted more than 75 public officials, four religious institutions, and multiple journalists in a nationwide threat spree.
— U.S. Attorney DC (@USAO_DC) April 29, 2026
Read More Here:… pic.twitter.com/OnPSKrBSeH
Prosecutors alleged that members carried out a wave of swatting attacks from late December 2023 to early January 2024. They targeted at least 25 Congress members or their relatives, senior executive branch officials, top federal law enforcement leaders, judges, state officials, churches, and media members.
In the plea announcement, the prosecution quoted one member bragging about his activities. “I did 25+ swattings today,” the individual said. The group targeted people on both sides of the political divide to avoid speculation about an ideological motivation.
Swatting is a criminal practice that has become more common over the past decade. It involves making a false report of a serious crime, emergency, or terrorist attack to draw a massive police response that might include SWAT officers.
Romanian man sentenced to 4 years for swatting US officials
— Avinash K S🇮🇳 (@AvinashKS14) April 30, 2026
27-year-old Thomasz Szabo organized wave of hoax bomb threats and fake emergency calls targeting dozens of lawmakers and federal officials
No more online trolling for now... Unless? pic.twitter.com/USPQBsmpw3
The Anti-Defamation League estimates that about 1,000 swatting incidents were happening every year by 2019. This has cost communities at least $10,000. The increase in swatting incidents have raised concerns about potential fatalities that could occur as the result of accidental shootings because of false reports.
NBC News reported that the practice has risen on college campuses and other sectors. The FBI created a national database in 2023 to help law enforcement agencies across the country share information and track incidents more effectively.
There is no single federal statute against swatting. Prosecutors typically use other federal charges such as threats, conspiracy, or false communications to target perpetrators.
