NY and CT Teens Charged in Poinciana Swatting Incident Tied to Online Gaming

Staff Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published July 10th, 2025

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NY and CT Teens Charged in Poinciana Swatting Incident Tied to Online Gaming

Poinciana, FL — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two teens from New York and Connecticut in connection with a pair of “swatting” incidents that targeted a residence in Poinciana, Florida last month.

15-year-old Cardiere Martin of East Hartford, Connecticut and 14-year-old Isaiah Reyes of Syracuse, New York were charged after investigators linked them to false emergency reports made on June 4 and 5, 2025.

15-year old Cardier "Cardi" Martin of East Hartford, Connecticut (left) and 14-year old Isaiah Reyes of Syracuse, New York (right).

📍 Swatting Calls Target Poinciana Home

On June 4 at approximately 7:49 p.m., deputies responded to a residence on Pilchard Drive in Poinciana following a report of gunshots. The caller claimed to be a 12-year-old child living in the home.

The next evening, another call to the same address falsely claimed that a resident had murdered his entire family with a shotgun. In both cases, deputies confirmed no violence had occurred and that the child living at the home did not place either call.

🎮 Online Gaming Dispute Leads to Felony Charges

Detectives discovered that the victim had been playing Fortnite with online acquaintances via Discord. The suspects were allegedly angered by the child’s gameplay and retaliated with the false reports.

Working with authorities in East Hartford and Syracuse, as well as the Department of Juvenile Justice and Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit, PCSO successfully identified and apprehended the suspects.

📆 Martin was booked into the Polk County Jail on July 7, and Reyes followed on July 10.

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📜 Charges Filed Against the Suspects:

🔹 Cardiere Martin (15, East Hartford, Connecticut)