Swatting Incidents Plague Conservative Figures: A Growing Crisis

In an age where technology connects us like never before, it’s also becoming a tool for chaos and revenge. One disturbing trend that’s been making headlines is “swatting”—a dangerous prank where someone makes a fake emergency call to send armed police to an unsuspecting victim’s home.

What started as a niche issue in online gaming communities has now morphed into something far more sinister, targeting conservative figures in the United States with alarming frequency. From politicians to social media influencers, these incidents raise questions about safety, free speech, and the misuse of law enforcement. So, what exactly is swatting, why are conservatives being targeted, and what does it mean for the future?

What Is Swatting?

“swatting” comes from “SWAT”—Special Weapons and Tactics—the elite police units trained to handle high-risk situations. In a swatting incident, someone calls 911 or a similar emergency line and fabricates a crisis: a shooting, a bomb threat, or a hostage situation at a specific address. The goal? To trick police into storming that location with guns drawn, putting the target—and sometimes even the officers—in danger. It’s a malicious act that exploits the rapid response of law enforcement, turning a routine day into a potential nightmare.

As of March 14, 2025, swatting has become more than just a random prank. It’s increasingly being weaponized against conservative voices, creating a pattern that’s hard to ignore. The question is: why?

Are There Laws Against Swatting?

Yes, swatting is illegal in the United States, but there’s no single, unified “swatting law” that covers every case. Instead, it’s prosecuted under a mix of federal and state laws, depending on the specifics of the incident. These laws don’t always use the word “swatting”—they’re more general, targeting false reports, hoaxes, or misuse of emergency services. The penalties can range from fines to decades in prison, especially if someone gets hurt or killed. Let’s break it down.

Federal Laws

At the federal level, swatting can fall under several statutes, even though there’s no specific “Anti-Swatting Act” in effect as of now. Here’s how it works:

1. False Information and Hoaxes (18 U.S.C. § 1038)
   This law covers anyone who knowingly provides false information about a crime or emergency—like a fake bomb threat or shooting—with the intent to trigger a response. If no one’s hurt, the penalty can be up to 5 years in prison. If serious injury happens, it jumps to 20 years, and if someone dies, it can mean life imprisonment. Swatting often fits this mould because it involves interstate communication (like a call crossing state lines) and deliberate deception.
2. Interstate Threats
   If a swatter uses a phone or the internet to make a threat across state lines, they could be charged with transmitting threats, which carries similar penalties. This applies when the caller’s in one state and the target’s in another—a common scenario in swatting.
3. Wire Fraud
   This might sound odd, but swatting can sometimes be prosecuted as wire fraud if it involves wasting government resources through false communication. It’s a flexible charge that’s been used in creative ways for modern crimes.
4. Proposed Legislation
   There have been attempts to make swatting a specific federal crime. For example, the Anti-Swatting Act of 2019 (H.R. 156) aimed to amend the Communications Act to impose penalties like 5 years in prison (or 20 if the injury occurred) for misleading calls meant to trigger emergency responses. It didn’t pass, though. More recently, in January 2024, Senator Rick Scott introduced the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act, pushing for up to 20 years if someone’s seriously hurt. It’s still pending, so it’s not law yet—but it shows swatting’s on lawmakers’ radar.

The catch? Federal charges usually kick in when the crime crosses state lines or involves federal agencies. Otherwise, it’s up to the states.

State Laws

Every state has laws against making false emergency reports, and swatting falls under these. The details—charges, penalties, and enforcement—vary widely. Here’s how it plays out:

• California: Swatting can be charged under Penal Code 148.3 (false report of an emergency), a misdemeanour with up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. If it causes injury or death, it could escalate to a felony. There’s also Penal Code 653x for misusing 911 to harass, another misdemeanour with up to 6 months in jail.
• Ohio: Since 2023, swatting has been a fourth-degree felony under House Bill 462, with 6 to 18 months in prison. If it causes serious harm, it’s a second-degree felony, meaning up to 8 years. Offenders also owe restitution for wasted resources.
• Maryland: A 2023 law allows up to 2 years in prison for swatting, or 10 years if someone dies. Juveniles often face lighter consequences, though, which some argue is a loophole.
• Texas: False emergency reports are misdemeanours unless they trigger a big response or cause injury, making it a felony with harsher penalties—like years in prison.
• Florida: It’s a felony under state law, with the potential for hefty fines and jail time, especially since the Anti-Swatting Act of 2015 (a federal law) influences state enforcement. A single incident could cost you 20 years if it goes badly.

Most states treat swatting as a misdemeanour unless it escalates—say if police shoot someone or crash a car rushing to the scene. Then it can become a felony, with sentences stretching into decades. Some states, like New Jersey and Ohio, have recently upped the ante, making swatting a felony outright to deter it.

Real-World Consequences

Penalties depend on outcomes. If it’s just a hassle—no injuries—you might get a misdemeanour, a fine, and maybe a year in jail. But if someone’s hurt or killed, it’s a different story. Take Tyler Barriss, a serial swatter from California. In 2017, he made a fake call in Wichita, Kansas, claiming a hostage situation. Police shot and killed an unarmed man, Andrew Finch, at the door. Barriss got 20 years in federal prison in 2019 under false information laws. Or consider Ashton Garcia, sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for swatting calls across the U.S. and Canada. The worse the outcome, the steeper the punishment.

Why the Variation?

There’s no uniform swatting law because the U.S. legal system splits authority between federal and state governments. States handle most crimes locally, tailoring laws to their needs. Swatting’s also tricky—it’s a modern problem tied to tech, so older laws get stretched to fit. Plus, intent matters: a kid pranking a streamer might not face the same heat as someone targeting a politician out of spite.

Challenges and Gaps

• Juveniles: Many swatters are teens and juvenile courts often go easy, reducing deterrence. Some states want to try them as adults in bad cases.
• Tracking: Swatters use VPNs or spoofed numbers, making them hard to catch. That’s why federal help—like the FBI’s swatting database—matters.
• Awareness: Police need training to spot fake calls, but that’s hit-or-miss. A wrong move can turn a hoax into a tragedy.

What’s Being Done?

States are cracking down. Maryland, Ohio, and others have had new laws since 2023, and federal proposals keep popping up. The FBI’s been tracking swatting since 2023, warning it’ll spike near elections—like now, in 2025, with midterms looming. Law enforcement’s also pushing for better call-tracing tech and public education to stop it before it starts.

Conservatives in the Crosshairs

Over the past few months, a wave of swatting incidents has hit prominent conservative figures. Names like Shawn Farash, Chase Geiser, Gunther Eagleman, and Nick Sortor have surfaced repeatedly. Take Gunther Eagleman, for instance—on March 13, 2025, police showed up at his doorstep after a bogus call claimed an emergency at his home. Chase Geiser faced an even worse ordeal, getting swatted twice within 48 hours. These aren’t isolated cases; they’re part of a troubling trend targeting people known for their right-leaning views.

These individuals are vocal on platforms like X, often discussing politics, government policies, and social issues with a conservative slant. Their outspokenness seems to have made them targets. Swatting isn’t just a nuisance for them—it’s a direct threat to their safety and a chilling attempt to silence their voices. Imagine the terror of waking up to armed officers banging on your door, all because someone disagrees with your opinions.

A Tragic Example

To understand how deadly swatting can be, look back at an incident from December 2024. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was swatted when someone falsely reported a pipe bomb in her mailbox. Police rushed to the scene, but the chaos led to a car accident nearby, killing a 66-year-old woman and injuring an officer. This wasn’t just a prank gone wrong—it was a chain reaction with fatal consequences. It’s a stark reminder that swatting isn’t harmless; it’s a reckless act that can destroy lives.

Why Is This Happening?

So, what’s driving this surge in swatting against conservatives? There are a few theories. First, it could be political retaliation. Conservative figures often take bold stances on divisive issues, which can anger their ideological opponents. Swatting might be a way to punish them or intimidate them into silence. Second, it could be part of a broader strategy to create fear, disrupting their ability to speak freely. Third, some perpetrators might see it as a twisted form of entertainment, a dark evolution of internet trolling. But when it’s consistently aimed at one group, it feels less random and more orchestrated.

Some victims, like Shawn Farash, have called swatting “attempted murder by proxy.” It’s not hard to see why. If police misjudge the situation—or if the target reacts unpredictably—the encounter could turn deadly. The stakes are terrifyingly high.

Who’s Behind It?

That’s the million-dollar question. No one knows for sure who’s pulling the strings. Online speculation ranges from organized leftist groups to lone-wolf trolls with a grudge. Some X users suggest it’s a coordinated campaign to target conservative influencers, while others think it’s just individuals exploiting easy access to anonymous calling tools. The FBI has started tracking swatting cases in a national database, but as of now, there’s no clear evidence pointing to a single mastermind. What’s certain is that the perpetrators are tech-savvy, often using VPNs or spoofed numbers to cover their tracks.

The Broader Impact

Swatting doesn’t just affect its immediate victims—it ripples out to society. Every fake call wastes police time and resources, diverting them from real emergencies. It also erodes trust between communities and law enforcement. In the U.S., where police shootings already spark controversy, swatting adds another layer of tension. Past incidents have ended in tragedy—like in 2017 when a Kansas man was killed by police during a swatting call tied to a gaming dispute. The collateral damage is real.

Legally, swatting is a crime, and punishments are getting tougher. In February 2025, an 18-year-old from California was sentenced to four years in prison for making over 375 swatting calls. But even with jail time on the table, the problem persists. Maybe the laws need sharper teeth—or better enforcement.

How Conservatives Are Responding

The conservative community isn’t taking this lying down. Victims like Nick Sortor have spoken out on X, urging followers to condemn swatting and raise awareness. Others, like Chase Geiser, see it as an attack on free speech, vowing not to be cowed. They’re pushing back, framing it as a test of their resilience. For them, it’s not just about personal safety—it’s about protecting their right to express their views without fear.

Could This Spread Beyond the U.S.?

Right now, swatting is mostly an American phenomenon, tied to its 911 system and armed police culture. But in a globalized world, it could spread. Countries like India, with growing online activism and political divides, might not be immune. If swatting takes root elsewhere, it’ll pose new challenges for police and citizens alike. Prevention starts with awareness.

What’s the Solution?

Stopping swatting won’t be easy, but there are steps worth taking. First, tech companies could improve call-tracing tools to catch culprits faster. Second, public education campaigns could highlight the dangers, of discouraging copycats. Third, harsher penalties—like mandatory minimum sentences—might deter would-be swatters. Finally, social media platforms need to crack down on accounts that glorify or coordinate these acts. It’ll take a mix of technology, law, and cultural shifts to turn the tide.

Final Thoughts

Swatting is more than a prank—it’s a weapon, and right now, it’s plaguing conservative figures at an unprecedented rate. It’s a stark reminder of how far some will go to silence dissent in the digital age. For the victims, it’s a personal nightmare; for society, it’s a warning of what happens when technology and malice collide. We need to ask ourselves: how do we protect free expression without letting it become a battlefield? What’s your take—random chaos or targeted attack? Share your thoughts below.