US charges 'Call of Duty' swatter's alleged co-conspirators
They reportedly helped him make false bomb and shooter threats.
Now that Call of Duty swatter Tyler Bariss has pleaded guilty, law enforcement is pursuing the people allegedly linked to his crimes. Federal agents have charged Neal Patel, Logan Patten and Tyler Stewart for reportedly conspiring with Barriss in both swatting attacks (that is, trick police into sending a SWAT team) and false bomb threats in locations across the US, including Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Patel and Patten also face respective charges for bank fraud and threatening to injure in interstate commerce.
The FBI arrested Patel and Stewart on the morning of January 23rd, while Patten agreed to surrender.
If found guilty, the three men could face stiff penalties. Conspiracy by itself can lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while fake bomb threats can result in sentences as long as 10 years. Patel and Patten could also see worse punishments. Pattent's alleged interstate commerce crime carries a 5-year maximum sentence, while the two accusations of bank fraud against Patel could put him in prison for up to 30 years.
It's not clear how Patel and Stewart will plead, or whether the trio will face the maximum penalties if they're convicted. However, we wouldn't expect leniency. While they're not involved in the Call of Duty-related swatting that led to the death of Andrew Finch, they're each accused of making multiple threats. These wouldn't have been momentary lapses of judgment.
