19-year-old in CA causes Big Spring HS evacuation due to "swatting"
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A 19-year-old in California had the FBI tracking him down, after officials say he made numerous "swatting" calls in Central PA.
According to Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in Newville, Big Spring High School was evacuated on Nov. 30 for a reported bomb threat.
After authorities investigated the scene, they luckily found no credible threat on the school's grounds.
PSP Carlisle says this was one of the many incidents they were looking into that was tied to an overall "swatting" investigation into the individual they believed was responsible.
Swatting is described by PSP to be "a (false) report of a serious or violent crime or emergency which would typically prompt an elevated response from law enforcement, oftentimes involving a tactical response team and/or specialized units such as a bomb team or SWAT team."
Through their investigation with the FBI, officers found that Nathaniel Deleon of Tulare, CA made numerous swatting calls throughout Cumberland and Franklin County.
Officials report Deleon made the threats, including the Big Spring High School threat, in an "effort to stalk and harass a local juvenile female, who he met online."
After obtaining a search warrant, FBI officers located Deleon at his home in CA and took him into custody based on a Cumberland County arrest warrant for the threats.
Deleon is currently being held in CA at the South County Detention Facility awaiting extradition to PA.
He is currently facing the following charges:
- Risking catastrophe
- Stalking
- Terroristic threats
- Harassment
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