CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police announced the arrest of a 19-year-old in California for a series of false bomb threats, including a Nov. 30 threat to Big Spring High School.
State Police and numerous other municipal police departments from Cumberland County responded to Big Spring High School on Nov. 30 for the reported threat. As a result, the school was evacuated and students and staff members were dismissed early.
No devices were located inside the school.
The incident was part of an ongoing swatting investigation that PSP in Carlisle was actively investigating involving what was believed to be the same person.
Swatting typically involves a report of a serious or violent crime or emergency which would prompt an elevated response from law enforcement, often involving a tactical response team or specialized units such as a bomb or SWAT team.
Swatting poses a significant risk of violent results and diverts emergency service resources from real emergencies.
Through an extensive investigation, the suspect of the Big Springs incident and numerous other swatting calls throughout Cumberland and Franklin Counties was identified as Nathaniel Sean Deleon, 19, from Tulare, California.
It's alleged the threats were one of many incidents which Deleon made to stalk and harass a local underage student, whom he had met online. The swatting calls spanned from June of 2023 until Nov. 30.
Probable cause was established to charge Deleon with risking a catastrophe, stalking, terroristic threats, and harassment.
On Dec. 22, the FBI executed a search warrant at Deleon's home. He was taken into custody based on the Cumberland County arrest warrant.
Deleon has been lodged at a California prison facility while awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.
