Some people think of it as a sort of prank, while others do it purely for the intimidation factor. However, “swatting” is a serious crime in Georgia these days.
Swatting occurs when someone makes a false report to the police through emergency services that there is some kind of crisis happening. They may allege that there is a bomb in someone’s mailbox, that someone is being held captive in another person’s basement or that someone is prepping for a violent attack.
The goal is to make the authorities so concerned that they organize an immediate armed response and descend upon a home or business with sudden force. Sometimes, these incidents are resolved very quickly. However. they’ve also led to deadly incidents where victims of swatting or their relatives have been injured or killed.
How did swatting get started?
It initially started in the online gaming community as a fairly creative method for people to harass each other over the internet for real or perceived slights. Now, however, swatting has become relatively common against politicians, business owners who have attracted public ire and even private citizens who have disputes with their relatives or neighbors.
Georgia has recently made swatting a serious crime. As of July of this year, swatting is a felony offense instead of a misdemeanor. Penalties now can include up to five years in prison for a first offense, along with significant restitution for the cost of the resources used in the response and any damage done to private property.
It’s important to remember that nothing that anybody does online is ever really hidden. Even with the use of spoof phone numbers and hidden internet connections, the authorities can usually trace swatting back to its source. If you’ve been charged with this crime, a strong defense is going to be essential.