A 20-year-old Florida man was arrested for allegedly “swatting” a Key Largo residence in September.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Third Road on Sept. 6, regarding a suicidal caller who stated he was armed with a Glock and intended to kill himself. The caller further claimed if anyone attempted to open the door, he would detonate a bomb. Deputies say the man also claimed he had his family tied up in the basement.
Upon further investigation, it was determined that the call was a “swatting” incident — an illegal prank call to 911 in order to draw a large number of law enforcement officers to a particular address. The sheriff’s office said Leonardo Javier Barrera, of Ruskin, was charged with unlawful use of a two-way communication device and giving false information concerning the commission of a felony.
Detectives used online communications and digital evidence to identify the suspect, Barrera, who also admitted to the incident on the social media platform, Snapchat.
Ruskin was arrested in Hillsborough County on Oct. 15.
“These types of crimes are becoming more common and are very dangerous to law enforcement as well as the public,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “Those who commit them can expect to be arrested.”
