ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Two Virginians could have their lives changed forever after both were arrested and charged with multiple swatting counts.
The Department of Justice stated that Evan Strauss from Moneta assisted in creating and operating an online group known as “Purgatory,” which utilized multiple platforms to coordinate and plan their attacks.
Bedford County man pleaded guilty to federal swatting charges
In Virginia Beach, a man has also been arrested and charged with a trio of swatting counts for allegedly sending police to his ex-girlfriend’s house over and over again.
“Swatting is when someone makes a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch a large number of law enforcement officers,” Doctor Tod Burke, a criminologist and former police officer, said. “It’s often a S.W.A.T. team, but it doesn’t have to be.”…