A California teen has been extradited to Florida after authorities found him guilty of “swatter-for-hire.” Authorities claim 17-year-old Alan Filion is a serial “swatter” behind hundreds of swatting incidents and bomb threats called in nationwide.
Consequently, law enforcement officials transported him from his home in Lancaster, Los Angeles County, to Seminole, central Florida, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. According to the Seminole County state attorney’s office, Filion faces three felonies and a misdemeanor charge.
In addition, law enforcement officials claim he is a prolific “swatter-for-hire” who charged $75 to target institutions. Filion allegedly made several bogus bomb threats and mass shooting calls to courthouses, schools, and places of worship.
Prosecutors allege that Filion was behind the swatting of a local Florida mosque in May 2023. According to court documents, the attorneys claim Filion told a dispatch operator that he had a handgun and explosive devices. The 17-year-old allegedly said he was going to kill everyone inside the Masjid Al Hayy Mosque in Sanford.
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“Hello, I am going to commit a mass shooting in the name of Satan,” he allegedly said. However, authorities noted he was playing an audio of gunfire in the background. Consequently, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said it sent about 30 heavily armed police officers to the mosque in response.
However, on getting to the mosque, the officers discovered the emergency was a lie. US authorities revealed in their statement that Filion may be one of the most notorious swatters in US history. They allege that the California teen has been making swatting calls since 2021.
According to court documents, police claim that Filion has swatted high schools, historically Black colleges, FBI offices, and other locations. In addition, the 17-year-old allegedly called in false bomb threats against military bases and the Pentagon.
Following his arrest, Filion first appeared in court on several charges on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. His charges include false reporting of a bomb or weapon of mass destruction. Also, Florida authorities charged him with the use of a two-way communication device while involved in an act of terrorism.
According to the state law, both charges are punishable by decades in prison. Court documents also reveal that Filion advertised his swatting services on an encrypted Telegram channel. He reportedly advertised under the pseudonym “Torswats.”
The Telegram channel reportedly charged $40 for a “EMS/Fire/gas leak” callout and $50 for a “major police response.” Also, the channel charged $75 for a “bomb threat/mass shooting threat,” according to investigators. In addition, the channel claimed that “All swats will be done ASAP or at present time.”
Furthermore, documents reveal that the channel offered returning customers a discount. Authorities say Filion posted dozens of recordings of previous “swats” to the channel, gleefully taking credit. Also, prosecutors claim Filion threatened schools in several states.
Law enforcement officials claim the perpetrator used a “text to speech” program to disguise their voice. They said he also used caller ID spoofing to hide his location. However, they eventually tracked him down to his home in California after noticing a trail.
Swatting incidents, where a person calls in a false emergency report, have spiked across the US recently. During the 2023 Christmas holidays, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and lawmakers Marjorie Taylor Greene and Brandon Williams claimed swatters targeted them.
Besides government officials and facilities, hoax callouts to synagogues, churches, universities, and sports stadiums are becoming more common. According to Florida’s law, officials are charging Filion as an adult. Also, the court denied his bond at his first court appearance.
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