A South Dakota teenager has pleaded guilty to sending messages to developers at Fortnite studio Epic Games threatening to kill them.
Jayden Griffin, 19, pleaded guilty to “threatening interstate commerce.” He faces a sentence of up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a period of supervised release of up to three years.
Court documents seen by GameSpot show that a US Grand Jury charged Griffin in December 2024 over claims that he sent threatening messages to people at Epic Games by way of electronic communications sent between October 24, 2024 and November 9, 2024. The Grand Jury cited a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c). It constituted interstate commerce because Epic Games is located in North Carolina, and that’s where the messages were sent.
Griffin said in a court document filed on September 16 this year, “I sent messages to Epic Games, where I threatened to kill employees of the company. I intended for the messages to be viewed as a threat at the time that I sent the messages.”
In US District Court of South Dakota, Western Division, Griffin’s hearing on September 29 concluded with Griffin entering a guilty plea. Back in January 2025, Griffin entered a not guilty plea.
“The Court finds that the defendant is competent and capable of entering an informed plea, is aware of the nature of the charges and consequences of the plea, that the plea is knowing and voluntary and is supported by an independent basis in fact containing each of the essential elements of the offense and orders that the defendant shall be adjudged guilty of the offense,” the document said.
Local media reported that Griffin’s next court appearance has not been set yet. GameSpot has contacted Epic Games seeking comment.
