- November 23, 2024
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Sheriff Rick Staly at a press conference announcing the arrest of an 11-year-old suspect in connection to May's swatting calls. Photo by Sierra Williams
Florida Rep. Paul Renner. Photo by Sierra Williams
State Attorney R.J. Larizza and Sheriff Rick Staly. Photo by Sierra Williams
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly announced the arrest of an 11-year-old Virginia boy in connection to over 20 swatting phone calls multiple Flagler schools received last May.
The 11-year-old, of Henrico County, Virginia, is facing multiple second-degree felony charges for the swatting calls — phone calls about a fake bomb or shooting threat — that occurred between May 14 and 22. Staly said the boy is not only responsible for the calls in Flagler County, but for swatting calls made in Volusia, Brevard, Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties, too, as well as swatting calls made in seven other states and in Washington, D.C.
Staly called the boy an “online predator.”
“I want to emphasize that this is an example of domestic terrorism,” Staly said. “And the fact that the suspect responsible is only 11 years old is truly sad. It’s also evident that this was not a kid’s prank, but it was deliberate acts.”
All of the calls made in Flagler County are attributed to the 11-year-old, excepting the one made by a 13-year-old, who was arrested in May. That call, Staly said, was a copycat.
The FCSO held a press conference announcing the arrest on July 25 alongside State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Superintendent LaShakia Moore, Flagler School Board Chair Will Furry and Florida Rep. Paul Renner.
The boy was arrested on July 18 by Virginia authorities. He is facing the following charges: 14 felony counts of false reports concerning a bomb, 14 felony counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, one felony count of tampering with physical evidence and 14 misdemeanor counts of disrupting a school function.
Staly and Larizza said a compact for juveniles is being used to bring the 11-year-old to Volusia County, where he will be held. Staly said the investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be pending.
“With school coming up in less than a month, I know that the status of this investigation was on the forefront of our community’s mind, which is why our detectives never stopped working to find the person responsible,” Staly said.
SUSPECT’S BEHAVIOR
‘WAS ESCALATING’
In one phone call, the 11-year-old, claiming to be a student at Flagler Palm Coast High School, told the FCSO dispatcher that he had shot his teacher in the head and was in the process of trying to hide the body.
“And if you don’t come quickly, they will all die,” the 11-year-old said in the call.
Staly said while investigating the calls it was clear that the suspect, unknown at the time, knew how to somewhat disguise his location and, on some of the calls, his voice.
Using resources from the FCSO’s Real Time Crime Center and assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office and the National Center for Audio and Video Forensics, the FCSO was able to track down and identify the 11-year-old as a suspect.
Law enforcement seized the boy’s electronics, and, after several electronic autopsies, Staly said, investigators found evidence that the boy was involved in other crimes, including sexual cyber harassment.
“What we learned was frankly shocking and alarming,” Staly said.
The boy’s mother told law enforcement that he had become more and more involved in social media and online since the COVID-19 pandemic. His online activity and “dark behavior,” Staly said, was concerning to the family, who said the boy had a dark side and liked to look at disturbing material.
In interviews with investigators, Staly said the 11-year-old admitted to making the phone calls on Flagler County, some made in Volusia County and a swatting call made to the Maryland State House. He also admitted to watching violent videos online: videos of animal torturing, videos of decapitation and murder, Staly said.
The 11-year-old also told investigators that every news media story about his calls was like “adding a trophy” to his online persona, Staly said.
Staly said not only did the boy not seem sorry for his actions but seemed proud; Staly further described him as a “very smart and articulate” kid. It was evident that without intervention, Staly said, the 11-year-old would have eventually hurt someone.
“This kid’s behavior was escalating and becoming more dangerous,” Staly said.
‘ACCOUNTABILITY IS GOING
TO RULE THE DAY’
Larizza said that through the Interstate Juvenile Compact, the 11-year-old would be coming to Florida to face his charges. “It’s possible, Larizza said, that the 11-year-old could be charged as an adult, but that is far from certain. His office is still reviewing the charges.
“I certainly hope and pray that there are ways to reach this kid,” Larizza said, “but I can guarantee you, in the Seventh Circuit, and in the great state of Florida, accountability is going to rule the day.”
From a personal perspective, Larizza said, sometimes “you just have to get smacked in the face before you realize something. ...
“It’s time that people understand just how dangerous the internet can be.”
Rep. Paul Renner said that a case like this is why it’s important to have legislation similar to Florida’s House Bill 3, a law Renner spearheaded, that prevents minors under 14 from having social media accounts and requiring parental approval for 14- and 15-year-olds to have them.
Similar federal legislation has “no teeth,” Renner said, and fails to protect society’s children from the dangers of social media.
“This is yet another tragic story about why we have to act,” Renner said. “… For better or worse this young man is going to have to be held accountable.”
School Board member Will Furry likened social media to poison.
“I know that your kids are under pressure, under peer pressure, to have these social media apps and new things online,” Furry said, but if your children wanted poison, you wouldn’t give them poison.”
Staly said the boy’s parents seemed to ignore his odd behaviors. Parents, he said, “need to be their own sheriff” and say something and get help if they see concerning behaviors in their children.
Furry also had a message for children who would emulate these behaviors and actions: “It’s not worth the attention you’re seeking.”
