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12-Year-Old Prankster Charged In High-Profile 'Swatting' Incidents [UPDATED]
Photo by Kuzma via Shutterstock
A 12-year-old boy has been charged in conjunction with two high-profile incidents of "swatting," where prank calls led to the unnecessary deployment of Los Angeles Police Department SWAT personnel.
The juvenile, whose name is being withheld because he's a minor, is due in Eastlake Juvenile Court on Friday for arraignment on two felony counts each of making false bomb threats and computer intrusion, said Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Fairtlough, deputy in charge of the Eastlake Juvenile branch, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Specifically, the incidents connected to the boy's current charges include the prank call that sent officers to actor Ashton Kutcher's home and one on October 10 regarding an emergency at a Wells Fargo Bank on Wilshire Boulevard.
Both calls and alleged emergencies were bogus.
The boy, who lives with his mother, has been described as being "antisocial." The suspect spends much of his time on the computer, and is said to have a highly dysfunctional family life. Reportedly, Children's Services has been to the family home several times.
The minor was taken into custody December 10.
The minor is due in court Friday.
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UPDATE 2/8/13: Arraignment has been postponed until March 11.
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