An 18-year-old California man who terrorized communities across the United States with hundreds of “swatting” calls has been sentenced to four years in federal prison. Alan W. Filion, of Lancaster, California, pleaded guilty to making interstate threats to injure others.
Filion admitted to making over 375 swatting and threat calls between August 2022 and January 2024, targeting schools, religious institutions, government officials, and individuals.
READ: Florida Man Arrested In Georgia For “Brutal” Murder Of Girlfriend
In these calls, he falsely claimed to have planted bombs, threatened mass shootings, and provided false information to elicit large-scale responses from law enforcement and emergency services.
Filion’s calls caused significant disruptions and fear, with armed officers responding to homes and schools, detaining individuals, and diverting resources from genuine emergencies. He boasted online about his ability to manipulate law enforcement and even turned his “swatting” activities into a business, advertising his services and charging fees for his hoax calls.
READ: ICE Lodges Immigration Detainer Against Illegal Alien Accused Of Grisly Massachusetts Murder
In one particularly chilling incident, Filion threatened a religious institution in Sanford, Florida, claiming to possess an arsenal of weapons and explosives. This threat led to his arrest in January 2024.
Filion pleaded guilty to making this threat and three others, including threats to a high school in Washington state and a historically Black college in Florida.
The FBI and U.S. Secret Service investigated the case, with assistance from multiple local and state law enforcement agencies.
Filion’s sentencing sends a strong message that swatting is a serious crime with severe consequences. It is a crime that disrupts communities, endangers lives, and wastes valuable resources.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
