Fantasy football spat spurs man to report a false bomb threat against the University of Iowa

A 25-year-old Pennsylvania man, Matthew Gabriel, has pleaded guilty in federal court to making a false bomb threat against the University of Iowa, resulting from a fantasy football spat. Gabriel's actions were triggered by a disagreement with another member of his fantasy football league, leading him to pose as someone else and send an alarming email to the university. The subject line of the email read "Possible Threat," and it contained a screenshot of a chat that inaccurately suggested a member intended to blow up the school. Prosecutors emphasized that Gabriel was aware there was no actual threat and that the comment was made in jest. He further added that his intention was to ensure safety, despite knowing the information was false.

This incident illustrates the severe legal consequences of making false threats and the potential for such disputes to escalate dramatically. Gabriel's case serves as a reminder that threats, even when made in jest, can lead to serious repercussions. The University of Iowa Campus Safety Office has stated that they cannot comment on the ongoing case due to court rules.