By Moselaunch 
An in-depth look at a Southern California teen’s swatting spree, its repercussions, and what lies ahead.
California Teen Faces 20-Year Sentence for Swatting Rampage
A Southern California teenager, Alan Filion, has pleaded guilty to a series of alarming “swatting” incidents targeting schools, churches, and government entities, among others. Federal prosecutors revealed that between August 2022 and January 2024, Filion orchestrated over 375 swatting calls designed to terrorize communities and disrupt lives.
Filion, 18, from Lancaster, California, admitted to four counts of interstate threats to injure individuals. He now faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on February 11, 2025.
What Is Swatting?
Swatting refers to the act of making false emergency reports, typically to provoke a high-stakes police response, such as deploying a SWAT team. These hoaxes can lead to chaos, fear, and even physical harm to unsuspecting victims and first responders.
In Filion’s case, authorities disclosed that his swatting calls caused severe distress, prompting armed police responses to fabricated mass shootings, bomb threats, and other emergencies.
The Scope of Filion’s Actions
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Filion’s swatting spree included:
- Threats to a Florida religious institution (May 2023): Filion falsely claimed possession of dangerous weapons, including pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails, and threatened to commit a mass shooting.
- A Washington high school (October 2022): He reported a planned mass shooting and planted bombs at the school.
- A Texas police department (July 2023): Posing as a federal officer, Filion claimed to have murdered his mother and threatened responding officers.
- Florida college housing (May 2023): He alleged bombs were placed within walls and ceilings, timed to detonate in one hour.
Court records revealed that Filion began swatting as a teenager for recreation and later monetized his activities by offering swatting services online. He advertised through social media and listed fees for his hoaxes.
Social Media Boasting
Filion openly bragged about his exploits online. In one post, he described how his actions led to victims being forcibly removed from their homes by law enforcement. His brazen attitude was exemplified by statements like, “6-9 months ago, I decided to turn it into a business.”
The Legal Fallout
Federal authorities have labeled Filion’s actions as an attempt to maximize harm and chaos. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate underscored the risks of swatting, emphasizing its dangers to both the public and law enforcement.
Although Filion was only 17 during most of these events, he is being tried as an adult under the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. This act governs the treatment of juvenile offenders but allows severe cases to be handled in adult court.
Filion’s guilty plea highlights a broader issue surrounding the misuse of technology to create large-scale panic.
The Larger Conversation
This case raises questions about the role of social media platforms in preventing such abuses and the psychological factors driving individuals to engage in swatting. Experts call for stricter regulations and increased awareness to combat such dangerous activities.
What’s Next?
As the sentencing date approaches, Filion faces an uncertain future. Legal experts predict that his case will serve as a precedent for handling other swatting offenders.
Federal authorities remain committed to prosecuting similar cases to deter individuals from endangering communities with hoaxes. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco reinforced this stance, stating, “This prosecution reaffirms our commitment to holding individuals accountable for endangering communities through swatting and hoax threats.”