Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Fabricating Mass Shooting and Bombing Threats

In a shocking turn of events, a Pennsylvania man named Matthew Gabriel has pleaded guilty to knowingly fabricating a mass shooting threat in Norway and a bombing plot at the University of Iowa. The 25-year-old from Philadelphia sent false, anonymous tips to law enforcement officials in an attempt to frame a member of his fantasy football group, following an online dispute between the two individuals. Gabriel's actions, which resulted in the diversion of significant law enforcement resources, have been deemed a crime by the authorities.

According to the Justice Department, Gabriel sent fake tips to law enforcement, intentionally and falsely implicating the other person as someone planning a mass shooting in Norway and a bombing at the University of Iowa. The false information provided by Gabriel led to extensive investigations by authorities in both Norway and the United States, resulting in a waste of valuable time and resources that could have been utilized for actual incidents and ongoing investigations.

Jacqueline C. Romero, a federal prosecutor involved in the case, emphasized the severity of the offense, stating, "Hoax threats aren't a joke or protected speech, they're a crime." She further warned individuals against engaging in such activities, urging them to consider the potential consequences before resorting to harmful actions online.

Gabriel's attorney has not provided any comments on the matter thus far. However, the details surrounding this incident shed light on Gabriel's motive. It was discovered that after learning that the other individual involved in the online dispute was planning to study abroad in Norway, Gabriel decided to send an anonymous tip to the Norwegian Police Security Service, falsely accusing the person of planning a mass shooting event. The fabricated tip stated that the individual intended to carry out a shooting during a concert before heading to a department store in Oslo.

Law enforcement agencies in Norway and the United States were thrust into action, working tirelessly for five days and investing countless hours in investigating the purported threat. Eventually, the FBI managed to track down Gabriel, who confessed to submitting the false tip.

But Gabriel's deceit did not end there. In a further attempt to incriminate the other person, Gabriel assumed another identity and sent an email to the University of Iowa, hinting at a potential threat. He attached a screenshot from his fantasy football chat group, which featured a conversation alluding to the same person planning to bomb the university. However, it was later discovered that the original message was made in jest and was part of a longer conversation, with Gabriel fully aware that the threat was fictitious.

Gabriel has recently pleaded guilty to two counts of interstate and foreign communication of a threat to injure. If convicted, he faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sentencing is scheduled for January 7, where the court will take into account the significant impact Gabriel's actions had on law enforcement resources and the potential danger they posed to innocent individuals.

This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that result from making false threats, particularly in today's online landscape. It reinforces the need for individuals to think before they act and consider the potential harm caused by their words or actions when engaging in disputes or online interactions.