Key Points
- Aaron John Sasser of Maryland was arrested for allegedly sending death threats to PrizePicks CEO, founder, and CTO over $50 he couldn’t access in his account
- The threats were made through PrizePicks’ online customer service chat on April 3 and included violent language against executives and their spouses
- PrizePicks forwarded Sasser’s account information and digital ID to the FBI’s Atlanta office
- Sasser was released to his father’s custody under 24-hour home confinement and barred from gambling and social media
- The case adds to a growing pattern of threats against sports gaming industry figures linked to betting disputes
A Maryland resident is confronting federal prosecution after purportedly threatening the lives of several PrizePicks executives in a dispute over accessing $50 from his account. This incident underscores mounting anxieties regarding violent threats targeting professionals in the fantasy sports and sports wagering sectors.
Authorities apprehended Aaron John Sasser this month following alleged menacing communications he transmitted via PrizePicks’ digital customer support platform on April 3. An FBI affidavit indicates the chat exchange continued for no less than 24 minutes.
According to the affidavit, Sasser explicitly threatened the lives of PrizePicks CEO Mike Ybarra, founder and Executive Chairman Adam Wexler, and co-founder and CTO Jay Deuskar. The menacing statements extended to include the executives’ spouses as well.
Special Agent Joshua Floyd’s statement notes the transcript contained antisemitic rhetoric.
“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 wrote, according to the affidavit.
The conversation initially involved an automated chatbot before a customer service supervisor intervened. The supervisor cautioned Sasser that his actions would result in permanent account termination and law enforcement notification.
PrizePicks executed on this promise. The organization transmitted Sasser’s account details, encompassing his email address, a digital driver’s license copy, and profile photograph, to the FBI’s Atlanta division.
PrizePicks’ Growth and Ownership Transition
PrizePicks has emerged as a dominant player among daily fantasy sports platforms nationwide. The enterprise has attracted capital from prominent figures including poker icon Phil Hellmuth and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Andruw Jones.
Operating from Georgia, the platform originally focused on single-player DFS competitions before broadening its offerings to include peer-to-peer fantasy matchups and prediction markets. Switzerland-based Allwyn International finalized a $1.53 billion transaction in January to acquire a 62.3% ownership position in PrizePicks.
Matthew Wein, a former U.S. Department of Homeland Security official who 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 wrote. “The types of threats that sportsbooks, DFS apps, and sports leagues are not ready for.”
Defendant Released With Stringent Restrictions
This prosecution emerges amid multiple cases involving individuals charged with threatening athletes and coaches following unsuccessful wagers. Various legislators and organizations, including the NCAA, have advocated for states to impose limitations on specific bet types to mitigate such threatening behavior.
Court filings reveal Sasser consented to forgo a preliminary hearing. He obtained release to his father’s supervision on April 10.
Judicial orders mandate Sasser remain under continuous home confinement, permitting only restricted travel exceptions. He received explicit instructions prohibiting contact with Ybarra, Wexler, and Deuskar, in addition to other individuals referenced in the case.
Sasser faces a complete prohibition on gambling activities and cannot visit any gambling facilities. Additional restrictions prevent him from utilizing social media platforms or accessing websites featuring real-time customer service chat capabilities.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia authorized a public defender to represent him in the proceedings.
