Alan Filion, 18, became a “serial swatter” for profit and entertainment and made more than 375 swatting and threat calls, federal officials say.

Summary

Alan Filion, 18, of Lancaster, California, pleaded guilty to four counts of making interstate threats in one of the most prolific “swatting” cases ever prosecuted.

Filion made over 375 swatting and threat calls from August 2022 to January 2023, targeting schools, religious institutions, government officials, and FBI agents.

Prosecutors say he turned swatting into a business, advertising his services on social media for profit.

His hoaxes, which included bomb and mass shooting threats, caused widespread fear and chaos. Filion faces up to 20 years in prison.

  • domdanial@reddthat.comEnglish
    17·
    2 days ago

    My guess is that he is only being charged with provable swats after he was 18, greatly reducing the counts.

    • Makeitstop@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      2 days ago

      Just speculating here, but if a few additional counts aren’t likely to add significant time to his sentence, they might also be saving some for later in case they lose or the case gets thrown out for some reason.

      • RubberDuck@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 days ago

        Or when convicted of these… he gets sent to the next state where his did it to stand trial there. He’s probably also in for a significant amount of civil suits… I’d guess about 300.