The 26-year-old Romanian man has confirmed he is the leader of a longtime dark web conspiracy targeting US victims with “swatting” and bomb threats, federal officials announced Monday.
“Swatting” is a term used to describe false reports of ongoing threats of violence, including bomb threats.
A number of mayhemless co-conspirators were created between 2020 and 2024 by stealing government buildings, places of worship and private homes for senior government officials, including US presidential elections, according to a news release from Planck, Jonah and Cipher, as well as a news release from the US Department of Justice.
Prosecutors said that from December 2020, Szabo has falsely reported to US law enforcement agencies. This includes the threat of a massive shooting at the New York Synagogue, and later said he exploded an explosive at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, killing the president and killing President Joe Biden.
“Sabo has made his ‘swatting’ activities public to his followers and encouraged them to engage in similar activities,” officials said.
In this file photo, we wait for a US Secret Service agent to open the motorcade door as the US president approaches. (Credit: Amandalcidon/White House)
Between December 2023 and December 2024, members of the 26-year-old Romanian group engaged in a fuss targeting at least six high school staff, including around 26 members of Congress, as well as members of their family, and at least six at the time U.S. Senior Secretariat staff.
Additionally, not only were the current or previous 13 or previous directors of federal law enforcement “stolen,” but there were also members of the Judicial Branch and about 27 current or former government officials.
Woman, 64 years old, legally detained on ice for 50 years, legally for three months
Several members of the media were also targeted along with at least four religious institutions, officials added.
“I swatted over 25 today,” one of Szabo’s subordinates boasted to him, court documents show. “[I created] A huge chaos [A]Merika. Over $500,000 for taxpayers wasted in just two days. ”
The 26-year-old, who was handed over from Romania to the US in November 2024, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of threat, including explosives, officials said.
Szabo, scheduled for sentence on October 23, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
“It’s not tolerated by the FBI that is at risk,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We are committed to working with our partners to bring justice to criminals who hide behind keyboards and threaten violence.”
The US Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Capitol Police continue to investigate the lawsuit.
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