An 18-year-old California resident has pleaded guilty to federal charges in what prosecutors describe as one of the largest swatting cases ever prosecuted in the United States.
Alan W. Filion of Lancaster entered guilty pleas to four counts of making interstate threats, each carrying a potential five-year prison sentence. Between August 2022 and January 2024, Filion orchestrated over 375 swatting incidents and threat calls targeting various institutions across the country.
The teen, who was 16 when committing most offenses, targeted religious institutions, educational facilities, government officials, and private individuals with false bomb threats and shooting hoaxes. He also advertised swatting-for-hire services on social media platforms.
In one incident from May 2023, Filion threatened a religious institution claiming he possessed modified weapons, pipe bombs, and planned to "kill everyone." Other notable cases included threats to a Washington high school, a historically Black college in Florida, and a Texas police department where he impersonated a federal officer.
"For well over a year, Alan Filion targeted religious institutions, schools, government officials, and other innocent victims with hundreds of false threats," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. "He caused profound fear and chaos and will now face the consequences of his actions."
FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate noted that Filion's actions drained emergency response resources and created widespread fear in communities. The swatting calls frequently prompted large-scale police responses, with officers sometimes entering locations with weapons drawn.
Filion was arrested on January 18, 2024, in California on Florida state charges. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Swatting, the practice of making false emergency calls to trigger heavy police response, has become increasingly common in recent years, particularly targeting public figures and institutions.