NEWTON – Authorities in Newton responded to a false report of violence this morning and are now asking for public assistance in identifying the caller.

According to the Newton Police Department, officers responded to the 700 block of N 8th Ave E at approximately 7:02 this morning after a caller reported violence in the home and said that someone was being held hostage. The caller further claimed that there were explosives inside the residence.

The Newton Police Department worked in cooperation with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Central Iowa Regional Tactical Team, but after investigating, police determined that the report was false. No violence had occurred in the home.

Authorities now believe that this was a “swatting incident”: a dangerous prank where someone makes a fake call to report a serious crime, causing a large emergency response.

The Newton Police Department says that they take swatting incidents seriously, and that these incidents put residents, first responders, and the community at risk. Swatting is a class D felony in Iowa, punishable by up to five years in prison.

An investigation into who made the call has begun, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Newton Police Department.