SWAT prankster arrested, faces five years in prison

There are lots of good reasons never to SWAT someone, and you can now add legal consequences to the mix.

The practise of SWATting - calling in crime reports on Twitch streamers and watching the results live - has become alarmingly common despite its potentially severe consequences for the target.

One of the reasons for its prevalence is an erroneous belief that there's no risk of getting caught or being charged even if you are - but that's simply not true.

According to a Chicago Sun Times report, 19 year old Brandon "Famed God" Wilson has been arrested in Nevada, and is facing extradition to Illinois.

Wilson is accused of SWATting by calling in a false murder report to Naperville police in July last year. Apparently, he had also made threats against the victim.

Investigators found evidence of Wilson's involvement in the SWAT attack as well as other similar incidents. He's now faced with two counts of computer tampering and one count of intimidation, computer fraud, identity theft and disorderly conduct, and faces up to five years in state prison - and there are three other states after him who may proffer additional charges.

Even if you (falsely) believe you can get away with this kind of prank, don't ever SWAT someone: there's a serious risk of people being severely injured or traumatised during a forced police entry, not to mention ongoing consequences for the victim's life.

Thanks, Polygon.