Gamer pleads guilty to threatening Epic Games employees
▼ Summary
– Jayden Griffin, a 19-year-old from South Dakota, pleaded guilty to sending death threats to Epic Games employees between October 24 and November 9, 2024.
– He faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both, for his actions.
– Griffin initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea in court on September 29, admitting he intended the messages to be viewed as threats.
– The court found Griffin competent to enter the plea, deeming it voluntary and supported by evidence of the offense.
– Epic Games has not commented on the case, and Griffin’s next court date has not been scheduled.
A South Dakota teenager has admitted to sending death threats to employees of the video game developer Epic Games. Jayden Griffin, who is 19 years old, now faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for his actions, which took place over a series of weeks in late 2024.
Griffin initially entered a plea of not guilty but reversed his position during a court hearing on September 29. According to his statement to the court, he acknowledged sending communications to Epic Games that contained threats to kill company staff. He further admitted that he intended for these messages to be perceived as genuine threats at the time he sent them.
The presiding judge confirmed that Griffin was fully competent to enter the plea, understanding both the nature of the charges brought against him and the significant legal consequences of his admission. Official court documentation stated the plea was entered knowingly and voluntarily, with a factual basis supporting each essential element of the crime.
Epic Games has chosen not to issue any public statement regarding the case or the guilty plea. A date for Griffin’s next court appearance, where sentencing will be determined, has not been scheduled at this time.
(Source: Games Industry)
