On Oct. 19, 2019 at approximately 4:30 a.m., 9-1-1 received an emergency call for an alleged violent domestic disturbance involving the discharge of a firearm in a multi-unit dwelling in the 700 block of Childs Street. The unidentified caller allegedly did not provide dispatch a unit number. Wheaton Police Department officers and officers from Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream and Winfield responded along with members of DuPage County’s M.E.R.I.T. SWAT Team to provide tactical assistance. Roads had to be shut down from the numerous emergency vehicles, and residents in the surrounding area of the alleged incident location were temporary displaced while the officers attempted to identify the location of the incident. The unidentified caller then allegedly called 9-1-1 again and provided a specific unit number. After police officers met with the occupants of the specific unit, it became apparent no criminal activity had occurred and the occupants had been victims of a "swatting.”
Over the next two months, Wheaton Police Detectives were able to develop a suspect, and on Jan. 8, 2020, the Wheaton Police Department arrested Timothy Jackson, 27, of Villa Park on unrelated charges for Aggravated Driving While License Revoked, Unlawful Possession of Weapon by a Felon, and Aggravated Unlawful use of a Weapon at the Exxon 7-11, 625 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. On Jan. 13, 2020, Jackson was charged with Felony Disorderly Conduct - False 911 Call, a Class 4 Felony in relationship to the "swatting" incident.
Timothy Jackson
27 years old
5’ 9," 150 lbs.
Black/Brown
326 North Ardmore Ave, Villa Park
"Mr. Jackson allegedly abused our communities’ emergency 9-1-1 communications, which resulted in the response of numerous police agency’s officers and a waste of our emergency services’ resources,” said Wheaton Deputy Police Chief P.J. Youker. “Let Mr. Jackson’s criminal charge serve a cautionary tale for any individual who wastes public safety resources and endangers lives. We will thoroughly investigate these incidents and hold those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
Jackson is currently being held at the DuPage County Jail on a $20,000 bond (10% to apply) for the Felony Disorderly Conduct - False 911 Call charge and a $75,000 bond (10% to apply) for the unrelated charges.
Notice to Public: The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. Constitutionally, a defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.