Feds defer prosecution of Kansas online hoax gamer

WICHITA: A Kansas online gamer whose dispute over a $1.50 bet sparked a hoax call that resulted in police shooting a man who lived atat his old address has struck a deal with prosecutors that could allow the charges against him to be dropped. US District Judge Eric Melgren approved the joint motion for deferred prosecution filed by prosecutors and the attorney for 20-year-old Shane Gaskill (pictured) of Wichita.

The judge deferred court proceedings and discovery during a period ending on December 31, 2020, and ordered Gaskill to pay $1000 in restitution, costs and penalties. The death of Andrew Finch, 28, in Wichita drew national attention to the practice of “swatting,” a form of retaliation in which someone reports a false emergency to get authorities, particularly a SWAT team, to descend on an address. Gaskill is charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and making false statements.