FBI agents are working alongside local and state law enforcement to identify the source of numerous swatting incidents reported statewide Tuesday, according to a statement from the FBI Detroit Field Office.
"Investigating hoax threats drains law enforcement resources and diverts us from responding to an actual crisis. Hoax threats can shut down schools, cause undue stress and fear to the public, and cost taxpayers a lot of money; not to mention ruin the future of those making the hoax threats as they’ll likely have a criminal record," the statement reads.
Schools across the nation and state received fake threats of violence Tuesday morning, including local high schools in Battle Creek, Muskegon, and Portage.
Other false threats were made in Jackson, Detroit, and Saginaw.
The maximum sentence for making a false bomb report is up to four years in prison, state police said.
Communicating a threat of terrorism is a 20-year felony, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The FBI encouraged individuals to report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately.