Bomb threat in fantasy football leads to guilty plea and potential prison sentence

I never thought I'd have to say this about fantasy football, but it's never worth going to jail for. Unfortunately, one fantasy manager didn't get the memo.

Matthew Gabriel, 25, of Philadelphia took his desire to beat an opponent a step too far. Or maybe a few steps too far… like the distance between Pennsylvania and Norway. And now he's facing federal charges because of it.

In August 2023, Gabriel gave an anonymous “tip” to the Norwegian Police Security Service claiming that a member of his fantasy football group studying abroad was planning to carry out a mass shooting in Norway, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

While under investigation for that false threat, Gabriel sent another false threat to the University of Iowa in March. It included a screenshot of a text claiming the same group member would blow up the school.

Philadelphia man pleads guilty to making bomb threat and mass shooting in connection with fantasy football @FBIPhiladelphia @PSTnorge pic.twitter.com/w0fTMU1oPP

– US Attorney EDPA (@USAO_EDPA) 18 September 2024

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Gabriel made both allegations despite knowing that there was no actual threat of violence in either case.

“While already charged with a fake threat instigated by, of all things, his fantasy football league, Matthew Gabriel inexplicably decided to send another one,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. “His actions were extremely disruptive and consumed significant law enforcement resources on two continents, diverting them from actual incidents and investigations.”

Gabriel pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of interstate and foreign transmission of a threat of bodily harm. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This should be a lesson to anyone else who suffers defeat in the fantasy world. Just stop playing. Don't go to jail for playing a game.