Owen Jarboe, a 19-year-old resident of Hagerstown, Maryland, has admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy, cyberstalking, interstate threatening communications, and making threats to destroy or damage by fire and explosives. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, together with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office.
The guilty plea reveals that Jarboe participated in a conspiracy, from December 2023 to January 18, 2024, that involved making swatting calls to various police and emergency departments nationwide. Swatting involves making a false report to emergency services to cause a large police or emergency response to a specific location.
Jarboe co-founded an online group called "Purgatory," which used social media platforms like Telegram and Instagram to organize and announce swatting activities. The group frequently used scripts to hide their phone numbers and identities.
The swatting incidents included threats to burn down a trailer park in Alabama and to shoot individuals at a Delaware high school. Other incidents involved false claims of multiple homicides and shooting threats in Eastman, Georgia, as well as threats against Albany International Airport in New York and a casino in Ohio.
"Swatting is a very serious offense – one that can easily become dangerous for law enforcement and the victims involved," stated Hayes. "Emergency personnel work hard every day to ensure that first responders are dispatched to render aid to those who truly need it. Mr. Jarboe and his co-conspirators' actions showed a complete disregard for law enforcement, the victims, and those who actually needed emergency assistance during these incidents."
DelBagno noted, "Jarboe’s crimes are despicable and dangerous. He put our brave first responders and countless innocent lives at risk while creating unnecessary fear in many different communities. Jarboe’s guilty plea shows that the FBI will not tolerate swatting or hoax threats and will make sure anyone committing these crimes is found and charged to the full extent of the law."
Jarboe faces a potential maximum sentence of five years for each count of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and interstate threat, and 10 years for each charge related to threats using fire and explosives. Actual sentences for federal crimes are usually less than the maximum term, determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Sentencing is scheduled for July 23 at 10 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes acknowledged the FBI for their work in this investigation and also thanked various police departments and field offices for their assistance. She also recognized Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert I. Goldaris and Patricia C. McLane for prosecuting the case.
More information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and ways to report fraud is available at their official websites.