Numerous Charges Laid After Swatting Investigation
On March 20th, 2024, detectives with the Investigation Services division charged 20-year-old William Tuckett with public mischief and conveying false information.
On February 16, 2024, around 4:00 p.m. the accused called the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala, Florida and told 911 Communicators they were driving to a local school with a gun to shoot students and staff. Marion County Sheriff officers responded with a significant police presence to protect public safety. After a thorough investigation officers determined there was no immediate threat to public safety.
On February 17, 2024, around 5:30 a.m. the accused called the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and told them they were holding a victim hostage at gunpoint at a residence in Ocala, Florida. Responding officers secured the residence and determined all occupants were safe and there was not someone being held hostage.
On March 18, 2024, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office contacted Sault Ste. Marie Police to inform officers of the calls. Through a joint investigation it was determined the accused had made dozens of false calls to the Marion Country Sheriff’s Office regarding someone the accused knows in their jurisdiction.
Swatting is when someone calls 911 anonymously and reports a fake emergency. The charge public mischief can be laid when someone causes police to enter an investigation under false pretences.
On March 20, 2024, detectives with the Investigation Services division of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service located the accused at their residence and they were arrested.
The accused is charged with,
• Public Mischief x3
• Conveying False Information x3
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing and subsequently released and is scheduled to appear in court on April 22, 2024.
