TOLEDO, Ohio (WLIO) — An Oregon man is facing federal charges for allegedly making swatting calls targeting schools across Ohio, including Lima Senior High School.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 18-year-old Nathan Hayes of Sweet Home, Oregon allegedly made more than 20 bomb threat calls to school districts throughout the state on Wednesday, March 4.
The criminal complaint filed in the case says Lima Senior’s phone number was contacted shortly after 11 a.m. The threats prompted a large law enforcement response, with multiple schools placed on lockdown while authorities conducted searches.
Federal investigators allege Hayes used multiple aliases and offered swatting services for sale online. The case is being investigated by the Toledo office of the FBI.
May 27, 2026 Media Release from the Department of Justice United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio:
TOLEDO, Ohio – An 18-year-old man from the state of Oregon has been charged with making dozens of hoax bomb threat calls to schools and other organizations in Ohio.
In March, law enforcement began investigating bomb threats that were made to at least 17 high schools in Ohio, including in Lucas and Lake County. As a result of the threats, multiple schools were placed on lockdown while law enforcement searched for bombs or other signs of terrorism. The threats were found to be swatting, or hoax, calls originating from out of state. Following an investigation, federal agents identified Nathan Hayes, 18, of Sweet Home, Oregon, as the caller. As alleged in the criminal complaint and affidavit, Hayes used multiple aliases to threaten schools and organizations. It is also alleged that he offered swatting services for sale and doxed at least one individual in Illinois. Doxing is the act of publicly revealing someone's private, personally identifying information online without their consent. Hayes also monitored media coverage to see public reaction to his swatting calls.
If convicted, Hayes faces up to 10 years in prison.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Dexter L. Phillips is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
