A Romanian national has pleaded guilty in federal court to orchestrating a widespread “swatting” campaign, including a targeted attack on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), according to a report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published Monday evening.
The suspect, 26-year-old Thomasz Szabo, admitted to leading an international conspiracy to trigger armed police responses at the homes and offices of over 100 individuals, including elected officials and private citizens. Szabo “pleaded guilty to leading a yearslong effort, along with coconspirators, to bring an armed police response to government buildings, houses of worship and private residences where no emergency existed, according to the U.S. Department of Justice,” the report stated.
The targets of this campaign spanned 40 private individuals and 61 public officials between December 2023 and early January 2024. Swatting, a criminal hoax that prompts heavily armed police units to respond to fabricated emergencies, poses serious risks to public safety.
Law enforcement agencies treat such incidents with the utmost seriousness, as the presence of officers with drawn weapons at non-emergencies has the potential to result in injury or even death. Among Szabo’s most high-profile targets was Rep. Greene, a far-right Congresswoman known for her vocal support of President Donald Trump and her history of promoting conspiracy theories, including the notorious claim that Jewish space lasers caused wildfires.
Greene has previously been subjected to swatting attacks. In August 2022, she publicly revealed she had been targeted, describing the incident as “traumatizing.” At the time, she emphasized the severity of the crime regardless of political affiliation. “I don’t care what political party you are — this is evil. This is not OK. And I will find out who swatted my house. And I will do everything in my power to bring them to justice,” Greene stated.
The plea agreement marks a significant development in a broader investigation into politically and ideologically motivated swatting attacks. Federal authorities are continuing to pursue others connected to Szabo’s operation. Prosecutors noted that the scale and coordination of the swatting campaign represent one of the most extensive efforts of its kind in recent memory, disrupting law enforcement operations across multiple jurisdictions and endangering dozens of lives.
Szabo now awaits sentencing in federal court. Authorities hope this case sends a strong message that swatting, regardless of motive—will be aggressively prosecuted and punished.