New Jersey man arrested in connection with Parkland ‘SWATing’ hoaxes, BSO says
Broward detectives arrested a New Jersey man in connection with two “SWATing” calls to two different homes in Parkland last year.
Justin Flavien, 22, of Maywood, New Jersey, made two 911 calls in August 2024 to report emergencies that turned out to be bogus, according to the sheriff’s office. One in which he said someone was shot in the chest and being held hostage, the other reporting that he shot his sister, BSO spokeswoman Miranda Grossman said.
“Once on scene of both incidents, deputies quickly determined the reports were unfounded and no one was injured,” Grossman said in a statement.
Detectives say the pranks were not related to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018, where 17 students and staff were shot and killed.
Detectives with the sheriff’s office’s Threat Management Unit and the Real Time Crime Center found Flavien despite how he used different applications, phone numbers and other technological means to conceal his identity, Grossman said.
Broward detectives worked with the Maywood Police Department and obtained search warrants for Flavien’s home, where they found several electronic devices, Grossman said. Detectives believe Flavien may have committed similar hoaxes in different parts of the country, said Grossman.
Maywood police took Flavien into custody on Jan. 21, and he was extradited to Broward County on Friday. He faces two counts of making a false report concerning a bomb, explosive or weapon of mass destruction and two counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate or further the commission of a felony.
Flavien was released from jail Monday after posting a $15,000 bond, according to Broward County court records. He could not be immediately reached for comment, and information on his legal representation was not immediately available.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM.
