Swatter Who Repeatedly Targeted GTA 5 and GTA Online Actor Ends Up Behind Bars

For many years, Ned Luke, the actor who portrayed Michael in GTA 5 and GTA Online, was a frequent target of swatting. Emergency services were repeatedly dispatched to his home during livestreams, to the point where dealing with responding officers became a routine part of his life.

As a result, Luke took the matter to court. The legal process took some time, but it ultimately paid off. In early December of last year, he shared a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice confirming that the case was being actively pursued and that the next hearing was scheduled for January 27.

However, that did not stop the harassment. Less than two weeks later, the same thing happened again during a livestream with Rob Wiethoff. After entering the room, responding officers informed the hosts that they had once again been swatted. From the conversation that followed, it became clear that the officers were already familiar with Ned. He even introduced them to Rob and wished them a Merry Christmas. The officers then left, and the stream continued without further incident.

But the story did not end there for the troll behind the calls. In early June, Ned Luke received new court documents. The individual responsible for the swatting campaign — a federal crime in the United States — was sentenced to:

• 4 years in prison,
• 3 years of supervised release,
• a $200 special assessment.

Luke also revealed that the swatter had targeted him more than a dozen times and only stopped after the FBI tracked him down and he was brought before the court. By that point, however, other individuals had already taken over the harassment. According to Luke, the convicted swatter also identified those responsible. It is entirely possible that members of this group will face similar legal consequences in the future.