Two foreign nationals were charged with being part of a multiyear conspiracy to perpetrate "swatting" attacks against senior U.S. government officials, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Thomasz Szabo, 26, of Romania and Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia were charged with 34 felony counts: one count of conspiracy, 29 counts of threats and false information regarding explosives, and four counts of transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce.
"Swatting" is falsely reporting emergencies in order to provoke a law enforcement response at the victim's home.
While the names of victims have not been released, the DOJ did say Szabo and Radovanovic had targeted 61 public officials and 40 private individuals with swatting attempts. The public officials included members of the House and Senate, Cabinet-level executive branch officials, senior officials of federal law enforcement agencies, and state officials.
The two defendants were also accused of making bomb threats against four businesses, four religious institutions, and a university. The scheme lasted from December 2020 until January 2024, according to federal prosecutors.
"Swatting is not a victimless prank — it endangers real people, wastes precious police resources, and inflicts significant emotional trauma," said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves in a press release. "We will use every tool at our disposal to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable, no matter where they might be."
The agents who investigated the case emphasized how seriously the government will prosecute swatters as it diverts scarce resources from those in a community who actually need them.
"I am proud of the extraordinary investigative work done by Secret Service agents at the Washington Field Office in this case," said Matt McCool, special agent in charge, in a press release.
"The perpetrators of these crimes left a trail of victims across the United States, abusing critical law enforcement resources to terrorize elected officials, public figures, and private citizens. We will never waver in our commitment to bring individuals like this to justice."
Lawmakers from both parties have been the victims of swatting in recent years. In 2023, Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., was the victim of such harassment on Christmas.
"Our home was swatted this afternoon," he posted on X at the time. "Thanks to the Deputies and Troopers who contacted me before arriving."
In January, Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, fell victim to a similar prank and promptly condemned the practice.
"It is truly alarming that someone would attempt to harass or intimidate me in this way, while also forcing law enforcement to devote resources unnecessarily," Brown said in a statement. "No one deserves this, and it puts so many people at real risk."
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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