Rep. Elissa Slotkin and the family of former Rep. Mike Rogers were the targets of swatting last week.
Swatting is when someone calls emergency services in an attempt to send police, or a SWAT team, to a certain location.
A statement from the Rogers’ campaign said that Michigan State Police responded to the false threat and nobody at the home was harmed.
“This is the second time that Mike has been the target of a swatting, first in 2013 as a member of Congress, and reports that Rep. Slotkin was also the target yesterday are a clear example of the deeply concerning trend of political violence that has quickly become the norm,” the Rogers’ campaign said in a statement.
Slotkin addressed the incident on social media stating, “The news that Mike Rogers and his family were also ‘swatted’ is deeply troubling and I am glad to hear both he and his family were not harmed. This type of behavior is not acceptable in public life. I thank Michigan State Police for their swift and professional response and I hope those responsible are investigated and held accountable by law enforcement.”
What is swatting?
Swatting is when someone makes a hoax call to 911 to send law enforcement, usually a SWAT team, to a particular location.
In many cases, the suspect makes it look like the call to 911 came from the victim’s phone number. Swatting is done for revenge or as a prank, but it could have deadly consequences. The FBI considers it a serious crime.
The FBI reported swatting for the first time in 2008 and numerous people have faced federal charges stemming from swatting incidents since then.
One of the most widely reported swatting cases happened in Wichita, Kansas, in 2017. Andrew Finch, 28, was shot and killed by Wichita police officer Justin Rapp.
Rapp didn’t know that serial swatter Tyler Barriss had called emergency services and reported a fake homicide and hostage situation at Finch’s home.
Barriss pleaded guilty to 51 charges stemming from swatting calls he made. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
What charges could you face for making a fake threat?
The FBI said most swatting cases are now handled by local and state law enforcement agencies.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warns that swatting, or making threats, can lead to felony charges and a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
In addition to jail or prison time, someone found guilty could face fines of up to $50,000.00.
Making threats of violence can lead to the following charges:
- Communicating a threat of terrorism, 20-year felony
- Calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony
- Malicious use of a telecommunications device, a six-month misdemeanor
- Threatening violence against school employee or student, a one-year misdemeanor
Swatting could lead to the following charges:
- False report of a crime, a 93-day misdemeanor
- False report resulting in physical injury, a 5-year felony
- False report resulting in a serious bodily impairment, a 10-year felony
- False report resulting in a death, a 15-year felony.
How to report threats of violence
Contact your local law enforcement if you receive a threat of violence or know of a threat of violence.
Tips regarding threats directed at students, school employees, or schools can be sent through Michigan’s OK2SAY hotline, which is open 24/7. The hotline protects the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity.
- Call: 855-565-2729
- Text: 652729
- Online: Click here
OK2SAY can be used to report potential self-harm, harm to others, or crimes directed at students, school employees, or schools in this state.