Virginia Man Admits Leading ‘Purgatory’ Swatting Ring

BALTIMORE, MD – Evan Strauss, 27, of Moneta, Virginia, has confessed to orchestrating a dangerous swatting and doxxing operation known as “Purgatory,” according to a statement released today by the Department of Justice. Strauss pled guilty to conspiracy, cyberstalking, interstate threatening communications, and threats to damage or destroy by means of fire and explosives. The operation, fueled by online malice, targeted schools, airports, and individuals with fabricated emergency calls designed to trigger overwhelming armed law enforcement responses.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, alongside Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski of the FBI – Baltimore Field Office, detailed the scope of the conspiracy. “Purgatory” operated through platforms like Telegram and Instagram, serving as a hub for planning and celebrating these reckless acts. Swatting, the practice of falsely reporting emergencies to dispatch armed officers to a location, and doxxing – the malicious publishing of private information – were central to the group’s activities.

Between December 10, 2023, and January 18, 2024, Strauss and his co-conspirators, including Owen Jarboe, 19, of Hagerstown, Maryland, engaged in a series of chilling incidents. One particularly brazen attack involved a coordinated call to the Newark Delaware Police Department. Strauss falsely reported shots fired in a school hallway, followed immediately by Jarboe threatening to shoot a teacher and kill students at Newark High School, forcing a lockdown during school hours. The group then boasted about the chaos online, sharing news coverage of the incident.

The conspiracy didn’t stop at schools. Strauss actively encouraged a fellow “Purgatory” member to “shut down” an airport. This led to a threat phoned into the Albany Police Department, claiming an intent to open fire at Albany International Airport, coupled with a bomb threat. Law enforcement units were immediately dispatched. Simultaneously, Jarboe targeted a residential trailer park in Dothan, Alabama, threatening to burn it down and harm responding officers. The group consistently used VOIP services to mask their identities and locations during these calls.

Strauss now faces a potential ten-year sentence for each count of threatening to damage or destroy by fire or explosive, and up to five years for conspiracy, cyberstalking, and interstate threats. Co-conspirators Brayden Grace, 19, of Columbus, Ohio, and Owen Jarboe have already pled guilty and await sentencing. While maximum penalties are severe, federal sentencing guidelines and other factors will be considered by the judge.

Sentencing for Strauss is scheduled for Thursday, November 6. This case serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of online harassment and the dangers posed by swatting, a tactic that puts both innocent lives and law enforcement at risk. The investigation remains ongoing, and further details may emerge as the case progresses.

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