In a stunning admission of guilt, 26-year-old Romanian national Thomasz Szabo—known online as “Plank,” “Jonah,” and “Cypher”—has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a global swatting and bomb threat campaign that targeted over 75 individuals, including a former U.S. president, political officials across the aisle, and prominent internet figures like Catturd.
The Department of Justice confirmed that Szabo was the central figure in a sprawling criminal conspiracy alongside 21-year-old Serbian national Nemanja Radovanovic, who executed many of the fake 911 calls on Szabo’s instructions.
Swatting a President: The Dark Side of Digital Warfare
The pair’s most high-profile swatting incident involved a false murder report at the home of a “former elected official from the executive branch” on January 9, 2024—a date that sent federal authorities into immediate lockdown mode. The indictment does not name the individual, but the implications are clear: a former president or vice president was nearly caught in a violent hoax with lethal potential.
Szabo also threatened to blow up the U.S. Capitol and assassinate President-elect Joe Biden in a separate call in January 2021, further exposing the national security implications of cyber-hoax crimes.
A Wake-Up Call for All Political Parties
Unlike many politically motivated hoaxes, Szabo and Radovanovic cast a wide net, targeting Republicans and Democrats alike. According to federal prosecutors, the victims included:
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Members of Congress
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Governors
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Cabinet-level officials
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Judges
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State legislators
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Religious institutions
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And conservative influencer Catturd, who confirmed he was swatted three times by Szabo and has been in direct contact with the DOJ.
“This is the guy who swatted me the first three times,” Catturd posted on X. “I have been receiving regular letters from the DOJ about the case… They also said, as a victim, I could go to the sentencing hearing and even read an impact statement.”
International Justice: Extradition and Sentencing
Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024 after months of international coordination between the U.S. and Eastern European authorities. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of making bomb threats, and he now awaits sentencing in Washington, D.C., federal court this October.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel issued strong statements condemning Szabo’s actions:
“This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy… This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people,” said Bondi.
“Swatting endangers lives and will not be tolerated by the FBI,” added Patel.
A Dangerous Trend in the Digital Era
Swatting—calling emergency services to falsely report violent crimes at a target’s home—is not a prank. It’s domestic terrorism, and it endangers innocent lives, strains emergency resources, and puts entire communities on edge.
Szabo’s case is a reminder that the line between online harassment and national security threats has vanished. And while justice is being served, the digital battlefield remains wide open.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a case about one hacker—it’s about an emerging class of cyber-criminals willing to use deception and terror to make headlines, score points, or settle scores. As Szabo awaits his sentencing, the message is clear: The U.S. will find you, extradite you, and prosecute you—no matter where you hide.
