PHILADELPHIA, PA — United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Matthew Gabriel, a 25-year-old resident of Philadelphia, entered a guilty plea this week to two counts of interstate and foreign communication of a threat to injure. The charges arise from Gabriel’s involvement in fabricating threats that required substantial law enforcement resources across two continents.
The case unfolded when Gabriel, embroiled in a disagreement within his fantasy football chat group, decided to make a false report to the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST). On August 3, 2023, he submitted an anonymous tip claiming that a fellow group member intended to carry out a mass shooting in Oslo, Norway. The detailed tip falsely alleged plans for a concerted attack followed by a targeted assault at a department store. This hoax prompted Norwegian and U.S. authorities to dedicate numerous man-hours to address what was perceived as a critical threat.
Further compounding his legal troubles, Gabriel, on March 22, 2024, sent a fraudulent email to the University of Iowa. Posing as another person, he warned of a supposed threat involving an explosion at the university. Despite knowing the information was untrue and initially sent in jest among group members, Gabriel’s actions triggered concern and response from university officials.
The severity of Gabriel’s actions drew strong condemnation from U.S. Attorney Romero, who emphasized the impact of such hoaxes on law enforcement capabilities. “While already being prosecuted for one hoax threat spurred by, of all things, his fantasy football league, Matthew Gabriel inexplicably decided to send another,” Romero stated. She further warned against viewing such threats as harmless or protected speech, highlighting the legal ramifications they entail.
Echoing similar sentiments, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, underscored the importance of international collaboration in resolving the case. Jacobs reiterated the FBI’s commitment to working with global partners to safeguard communities from threats and emphasized that such actions are serious offenses.
As a result of his guilty plea, Gabriel now faces potential penalties that include a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment. The case, investigated by the FBI with significant support from the Norwegian Police Security Service, is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danielle Bateman.
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