Rochester woman gets probation, home detention for ‘swatting’ incident in Murray
False report resulted in big law enforcement response
Photo shared by Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: A big law enforcement presence responded to a false call in need of police in August 2023 on the Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road in Murray.
Press Release, Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following statement regarding the recent sentencing of a Rochester woman in connection to a dangerous and malicious “swatting” incident that occurred in August 2023.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dawnn Marie Walters, 53, of Rochester, has been sentenced to one year of probation, including six months of home detention, after being convicted of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computers.
The conviction stems from a false emergency call, commonly referred to as “swatting,” during which Walters aided other co-conspirators to falsely report a shooting incident at a specific address, triggering a significant and unnecessary emergency response.
In August 2023, Orleans County, Monroe County, and Genesee County were all affected by a series of swatting calls. Due to the suspects’ unfamiliarity with the region, multiple law enforcement agencies responded to similar-sounding addresses, resulting in SWAT team activations, road closures, and significant public safety disruptions. One particularly alarming incident involved a targeted swatting attempt at a Rochester-area hospital.
An extensive investigation, involving federal and local law enforcement, revealed that Walters and others also engaged in a coordinated online effort to target and harass an individual. These actions included unlawfully accessing the victim’s personal electronic devices and online accounts.
One especially disturbing act involved sending an email from the victim’s account to multiple legislators. The email contained graphic images of deceased children and issued threats to “shoot up some schools in New York,” falsely implicating the victim in a potential mass shooting threat.
“This type of behavior is not a prank—it’s a serious criminal offense with potentially deadly consequences,” said Sheriff Chris Bourke. “We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable anyone who uses technology to endanger lives or terrorize members of our community.”
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and all partner agencies for their collaborative efforts in securing justice for the victim and ensuring public safety throughout the affected counties.
Multiple responsible suspects have been identified across the United States and abroad. The investigation is continuing, and additional arrests are expected.
