Delaware
FBI charges online group Purgatory with ‘swatting’ crimes in Delaware, other states
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
One guy went by the moniker “Reaper.” Another used the name “Synthetics.” A third’s alias was “bit coin.”
The trio of young men lived in Virginia, Maryland and Ohio but formed the backbone of an online network that called itself “Purgatory.”
They used Instagram, Telegram, and other social media platforms to post messages of mayhem, with their rants attracting some 200 followers, including one teenager in Massachusetts whose username was “clinicallyinsaneog.”
The FBI charges that Purgatory’s purpose was to cause criminal chaos — at a Delaware high school, an Ohio casino, a New York airport, and elsewhere in the United States — by engaging in the federal crime of “swatting,” according to a recently unsealed indictment in Maryland.
Swatting is the act of calling law enforcement agencies and falsely reporting an emergency that’s either in progress or will occur. So-called swatters use computer-based phone lines to conceal their identities.
The aim is to get armed officers or even a police force’s special weapons and tactics unit (SWAT) to respond to the reported bomb threat, active shooter, or other violent crime. Far from a harmless crime, in a handful of cases, swatting has led to the death of the hoax target.
Court papers in a related case against the man who uses the online name “Reaper” say members of Purgatory have committed a variety of other crimes — “hacking, blackmail, extorting individuals for money, extorting females for explicit photos or videos of themselves, and extorting females to commit acts of self-harm.”
Alleged swatter said active shooter was inside Newark High
The alleged swatting incident in Delaware occurred about 1 p.m. on Jan. 4. The victims were the several hundred students and staff at Newark High School.
The call to Newark police was placed from 300 miles away in rural Moneta, Va., from a Google Voice number, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland.
The caller was 26-year-old Evan Strauss, who uses the names “Reaper” and “ex_nightmare” in Purgatory messages, the indictment said.
During the call, Strauss identified himself as Richard Wilson and said he was inside Newark High, where he “heard a man firing shots in the hallway,” the indictment said. The caller said he was hiding “inside a classroom with 10 other people.’’
At about the same time, authorities charge that Purgatory member 18-year-old Owen Jarboe used a TextNow number to call Newark police from Hagerstown, Md., 130 miles away.
Jarboe, who uses the names “Synthetics” and “yoboyqzippy” online, threatened to shoot an unidentified teacher and kill several students he did not name, the indictment said.
The alarming calls led Newark police to dispatch several officers to the school, located a few blocks from the University of Delaware campus. School resource and security officers already inside the school were also alerted.
Christina School District board member Doug Manley said school administrators immediately initiated a “secure hold” that involved restricting access in and out of the building. Authorities soon realized the call was a hoax and dismissed students on time, but after-school activities were postponed, and police remained there for hours, Manley said.
Meanwhile, Purgatory members reveled in the hoax’s success on a group chat, the indictment said.
According to the indictment, Jarboe messaged 18-year-old Brayden Grace, who used the online name “bit coin” and lives in Columbus, Ohio. “You saw what me and nightmare did to the school. Post it in telegram chat,’’ Jarboe wrote.
Later, an identified member posted links to news reports about the Delaware incident on Telegram. “Purgatory is on the roll again,’’ and added: “This was a school that was evacuated seems to [have] some issues with it being on lockdown and not functioning properly.”
Strauss later posted that Newark High was “still on lockdown,’’ leading one unidentified member to exclaim, “LMAO … What was the script LOL.”
The alleged attack against Newark High was one of several crimes the FBI says Purgatory members committed in December and January. The indictment did not say how the defendants selected their alleged targets.
MILLSBORO, Del. – Firefighters responded to a large structure fire at a trailer home on Friday morning.
At 10:10 a.m. on Nov. 28, crews from the Millsboro, Indian River, and Dagsboro volunteer fire companies responded to a trailer on Oak Street in the Mount Joy area. Units from the Sussex County Paramedics and the Delaware State Police also responded to the scene.
Crews worked to provide water supply, assist with fire suppression, notify respective utility service providers, and continue with mitigation efforts.
The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company reported that the trailer, other surrounding structures, as well as a number vehicles, including a motorcycle, four-wheeler type ATVs, and a golf cart, caught fire as part of this incident.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal is investigating.
Claiming lottery in Delaware
18 states have laws that allow national lottery prize jackpot winners to remain anonymous, but is Delaware among them?
The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Play 3 numbers from Nov. 30 drawing
Day: 2-6-1
Night: 2-7-2
Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 4 numbers from Nov. 30 drawing
Day: 4-9-0-1
Night: 1-8-1-8
Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from Nov. 30 drawing
01-11-16-17-31-34
Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 30 drawing
03-08-13-17-18, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 5 numbers from Nov. 30 drawing
Day: 4-6-9-8-7
Night: 9-3-0-4-7
Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
- Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
- Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
- Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
- For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.
Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?
Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.
How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?
Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.
When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
- Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
- Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.
This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.
From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.
Increasingly, people across the U.S. are struggling to pay their utility bills as the price of electricity soars because of supply costs and an increased demand from sources like data centers.
Gas bills are also on the rise, with Philadelphia Gas Works customers facing a $6 increase on average to their monthly bills, starting Dec. 1.
The effects are evident in states like Pennsylvania, where utility shutoffs have increased by 21% this year, leaving ratepayers in the dark.
The termination of a person’s utilities can have dire consequences, especially for kids, older ratepayers and people living with chronic health conditions.
“A shutoff in a very cold month can not only lead to health consequences for the household living in very, very cold conditions, it can also lead to structural damage to the home because the loss of utilities during those times can cause pipes to burst and all sorts of other things,” said Sarah Spangler Rhine, deputy director at Community Legal Aid Society in Delaware.
As temperatures drop in the Philadelphia region, however, some ratepayers will be protected from shutoffs.
Here’s what you need to know about winter shutoff moratorium programs in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. During this period, ratepayers will be able to keep their heat and lights on even when they’re behind on their bills.
Detroit Lions start evaluation clock on veteran tight end
49ers best under-the-radar move this offseason is paying off
Cowboys must set sights on Eagles, NFC East for legitimate shot to see postseason play
2025 Miami Art Week: Top events, exhibits and experiences across South Florida
Tracking the timing and impacts of Tuesday’s winter storm
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
War Sec Pete Hegseth shares meme of children’s book character firing on narco terrorist drug boat
‘Based in Russia’: What X’s new location tool does and doesn’t reveal
An independent effort says AI is the secret to topple two-party power in Congress
Trump makes 11th-hour plea for Matt Van Epps over Aftyn Behn, whom he claims ‘hates Christianity’
US and Ukraine talks begin as Trump pushes to bring war to an end
-
Science1 week agoWashington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
-
Business6 days agoStruggling Six Flags names new CEO. What does that mean for Knott’s and Magic Mountain?
-
Politics4 days agoRep. Swalwell’s suit alleges abuse of power, adds to scrutiny of Trump official’s mortgage probes
-
Ohio5 days agoSnow set to surge across Northeast Ohio, threatening Thanksgiving travel
-
Technology5 days agoNew scam sends fake Microsoft 365 login pages
-
News5 days ago2 National Guard members wounded in ‘targeted’ attack in D.C., authorities say
-
World5 days agoTrump yanks G20 invitation from South Africa over false genocide claims
-
Technology5 days agoStranger Things 5 begins with a frantic race to the finish line