Philadelphia man pleads guilty to swatting rival in fantasy football feud

Matthew Gabriel, a 25-year-old from Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to swatting a fellow fantasy football group member twice. The first incident involved a false report claiming that a University of Iowa student was planning a mass shooting in Oslo, which prompted extensive investigations by law enforcement in both Norway and the U.S. Gabriel later admitted to the FBI that the accusation was fabricated. While awaiting prosecution for the initial incident, Gabriel sent an email to University of Iowa administrators, falsely alleging that the same student threatened to blow up the school. This email included a screenshot from their group chat, which Gabriel misrepresented as evidence of a real threat, despite knowing it was a joke. Gabriel faced two counts of interstate and foreign communication of a threat to injure and pleaded guilty in a federal court in Philadelphia. He could have received a five-year prison sentence but reached an agreement with prosecutors for 15 months of house arrest instead. His lawyer acknowledged the severity of Gabriel's actions, emphasizing the fortunate outcome of house arrest. U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero warned others against similar online behavior, highlighting the serious consequences that can arise from reckless actions in digital communications.