A Romanian man who led an international swatting ring that targeted dozens of officials and institutions — including South Dakota Mines — has been sentenced to prison.
Thomasz Szabo, 27, was sentenced to four years in prison after orchestrating a series of hoax threats across the United States, according to U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons. Prosecutors said the group targeted more than 75 public officials, four religious institutions and multiple journalists.
Among the threats was a report involving a plan to blow up South Dakota Mines.
Officials said the group sought to provoke large law enforcement responses and was motivated by the reactions. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said members showed little remorse and even discussed the high cost of emergency responses, including one incident estimated at $500,000.
Pirro said Szabo may have believed he would avoid prosecution because he was overseas, but authorities were able to locate and extradite him to the United States.
Parsons credited FBI agents in South Dakota with helping trace the threat and bring Szabo into custody.
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