Pennsylvania man indicted on swatting charge in Clermont County

On Jan. 9, a Clermont County grand jury returned an indictment for Michael Eugene Carpenter, 19, of Parkesburg, Pa., for one count of swatting, a felony of the third degree.

On Nov. 8, 2023 at 7:47 p.m., a call was allegedly received at the Mansfield, Ohio Police Department from an unknown male, stating that he had just shot his brother and tied up his mother at a residence in Clermont County. The call was transferred to the Clermont County Communications Center, and emergency personnel were immediately dispatched.

Deputies from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene at 7:59 p.m. and determined the call to be fictitious. The safety of all residents was verified.

Immediately after clearing that scene, the Clermont County Communications Center received another 911 call from the same unknown male caller who allegedly claimed he had “pressure bombs” at the White House and was holding a hostage; however, he allegedly verified to the dispatcher he was “swatting.”

Information regarding the White House was immediately forwarded to the Secret Service.

On Nov. 13, 2023 at 1:15 a.m., a call was received at the Shelby County, Ohio Communications Center from an unknown male allegedly stating he had shot his mother at the same residence in Clermont County, followed by sounds of gunshots and screaming. The call was transferred to the Clermont County Communications Center, and emergency personnel were immediately dispatched. Deputies from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and quickly confirmed the safety of all residents at the address.

Detectives from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation to determine the source of the calls and identified Carpenter as a suspect, through social media records.

Detectives are currently working with the Parkesburg, Pa. Police Department to locate and arrest Carpenter.

An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.