Photo: Vesnaandjic / E+ / Getty Images
Polk County, FL - Two teenagers from the Northeast have been extradited to Polk County where they face felony charges for allegedly making dangerous false 911 calls that targeted a 12-year-old boy after a dispute during online gaming.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, a 14-year-old from New York and a 15-year-old from Connecticut were arrested for two separate swatting incidents that occurred in early June.
Swatting is the act of making a fake emergency call to prompt a heavily armed police response.
On June 4th, deputies responded to a call reporting a shooting at the victim’s home.
The next day, another call was made by a different teen who claimed he had murdered his wife and children with a shotgun.
Both calls turned out to be hoaxes, but prompted a full law enforcement response.
Investigators later determined the calls were linked to the teens, who had been playing video games online with the victim.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated that the victim was targeted simply for making someone upset during a gaming session.
He urged parents to monitor their children's online activity and restrict gaming if necessary.
The teens are now in custody in Polk County, facing second and third-degree felony charges.
Sheriff Judd thanked officials in New York and Connecticut for assisting in the extraditions.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed HB 279, which increases the penalties for swatting.
Under the new law, offenders must pay restitution and can face felony charges if their actions result in injury or death.