Key Points
- Federal authorities arrested Aaron John Sasser from Maryland for allegedly issuing death threats toward PrizePicks leadership, including the CEO, over access to $50 in his account
- The alleged threats occurred via PrizePicks’ customer service chat platform on April 3, featuring violent rhetoric directed at company executives and their families
- Company officials provided Sasser’s account details and identification documents to FBI investigators in Atlanta
- Following his arrest, Sasser was placed under his father’s supervision with mandatory 24-hour home detention and prohibited from gambling activities and social media use
- This incident reflects an escalating trend of violent threats targeting sports gambling industry professionals over betting-related conflicts
Federal prosecutors have brought charges against a Maryland resident who allegedly issued death threats toward several PrizePicks executives in connection with a $50 account disagreement. This incident underscores mounting concerns regarding violence directed toward professionals in the sports wagering and fantasy sports sectors.
Authorities took Aaron John Sasser into custody this month after he allegedly issued threats via PrizePicks’ customer service chat interface on April 3. The chat exchange continued for no less than 24 minutes, based on documentation filed by the FBI.
According to the FBI affidavit, Sasser specifically issued threats against PrizePicks CEO Mike Ybarra, founder and Executive Chairman Adam Wexler, and co-founder and CTO Jay Deuskar. The threatening statements extended to include the executives’ spouses as well.
Special Agent Joshua Floyd’s statement noted that the conversation transcript contained antisemitic remarks.
“If my $50 doesn’t end up back in my bank account before 5pm today, I’m going to drive down to Atlanta, Georgia and kill everyone in the PrizePicks office,” Sasser allegedly wrote, according to federal court documents.
The interaction began with an automated chatbot before escalating to involve a customer service supervisor. The supervisor informed Sasser that his threatening behavior would result in permanent account termination and law enforcement notification.
PrizePicks executed on this warning promptly. Company representatives transmitted Sasser’s account details, which included his email contact information, a scanned copy of his driver’s license, and his account photograph, to FBI investigators stationed in Atlanta.
PrizePicks’ Market Position and Ownership Change
PrizePicks has emerged as among the most prominent daily fantasy sports platforms operating in the United States. The organization has secured financial backing from notable personalities including poker champion Phil Hellmuth and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Andruw Jones.
Headquartered in Georgia, the company launched with single-player daily fantasy sports offerings before broadening into peer-to-peer fantasy competitions and prediction markets. This past January, Switzerland-based Allwyn International finalized a $1.53 billion transaction to acquire a 62.3% ownership position in the platform.
Matthew Wein, a former official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who now publishes the Secure Stakes newsletter on Substack, initially reported the charges against Sasser.
“These are the exact types of threats I have been warning about in Secure Stakes,” Wein stated. “The types of threats that sportsbooks, DFS apps, and sports leagues are not ready for.”
Court Imposes Stringent Release Terms
This prosecution emerges amid similar cases where individuals face criminal charges for threatening athletes and coaching staff following unsuccessful wagers. Multiple legislators and advocacy groups, including the NCAA, have urged state governments to implement restrictions on specific wager types to help prevent such threatening conduct.
Court filings indicate Sasser consented to forgo a preliminary hearing. On April 10, he was released to his father’s supervision.
Judicial authorities mandated that Sasser stay under continuous home detention, with only narrow exceptions for travel. Additional court orders prohibit him from contacting Ybarra, Wexler, or Deuskar, as well as other individuals named in the case.
Sasser faces a complete ban on participating in any gambling activities and may not visit gambling facilities. He is additionally restricted from social media platforms and any websites featuring real-time customer service chat capabilities.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia granted approval for a public defender to represent him in the proceedings.
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