Canadian man William Tuckett, 20, is facing charges after making dozens of swatting calls to a sheriff’s office in Florida over a two-month period. He has been charged with three counts of public mischief and three counts of conveying false information for making false reports of crimes to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Tuckett is accused of calling in a school shooting threat and a hostage situation, which were later determined to be false reports. Swatting involves calling in a false police report for a violent crime, such as a murder or hostage situation, in order to prompt a SWAT team response to the target’s home. These hoaxes are illegal and dangerous.
Authorities said that Tuckett called the sheriff’s office claiming he was driving to a local school with a gun to shoot students and staff. Deputies responded to the threat but found no immediate danger to public safety after investigating. The following morning, Tuckett allegedly called the sheriff’s office again, claiming to be holding a victim hostage at gunpoint in Ocala, Florida. Law enforcement responded to the scene and determined that everyone in the home was safe and no one was being held hostage. The sheriff’s office contacted Sault Ste. Marie Police about the calls on March 18, leading to a joint investigation between the agencies.
The joint investigation involving Sault Ste. Marie Police and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office determined that Tuckett had made numerous false reports regarding a person in their jurisdiction that he knows. Detectives from the Sault Ste. Marie Police’s Investigation Services Division arrested Tuckett at his home, where he was held in custody pending a bail hearing. He has since been released and is scheduled to appear in court on April 22. Swatting incidents have been on the rise targeting U.S. public officials from both Republican and Democratic parties, including Senator Rick Scott of Florida, Representatives Brandon Williams of New York and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
Swatting is a dangerous and illegal activity that can have deadly consequences. False reports of crimes such as school shootings and hostage situations can trigger a massive law enforcement response, putting innocent lives at risk. In the case of William Tuckett, he faces charges of public mischief and conveying false information for his swatting calls to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. The incidents involving Tuckett highlight the serious nature of swatting and the need for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these hoaxes.
The rise in swatting incidents targeting public officials from both political parties in the U.S. is concerning. Authorities are working to track down and apprehend individuals who engage in this dangerous practice. Swatting not only wastes valuable law enforcement resources but also creates unnecessary fear among the public and puts lives at risk. The case of William Tuckett serves as a reminder of the real-world consequences of swatting and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. Tuckett’s upcoming court appearance on April 22 will shed light on the legal consequences he may face for his swatting calls to the sheriff’s office in Florida.
