An 18-year-old California man, Alan Filion, pleaded guilty to making over 375 hoax threats across the country, including bomb threats and mass shooting threats, targeting schools, government officials, and religious institutions. Filion, who began his “swatting” activities at age 16, turned the practice into a business, advertising his services on social media for a fee. His actions, which caused widespread fear and chaos, included a threat to carry out a mass shooting at a mosque in Florida, leading to his arrest and extradition. Filion faces a maximum of five years in prison for each of the four charges against him.
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As a parent, hearing about an 11-year-old boy from Virginia being charged with making swatting calls to Florida schools is deeply troubling. I can’t help but think about my own children and how innocent and playful they were at that age. At 11, my kids were still playing with toys, Pokemon cards, Barbies, LEGOs, and scooters. The idea of them even considering such malicious and dangerous actions is unfathomable to me.
The fact that this young boy is facing 29 felony counts and 14 misdemeanors is shocking. It raises serious questions about the environment he is being raised in and the lack of supervision and guidance he may have been receiving.… Continue reading
It is absolutely absurd that in this day and age, anyone can make a simple phone call, text, or post online and have a heavily armed SWAT team show up at someone’s home without any evidence or due diligence. The case of the mother of Jan. 6 officer Michael Fanone being swatted after he called Trump ‘authoritarian’ is a stark reminder of how easily manipulated law enforcement can be by anonymous tips. This type of behavior is not only dangerous but highlights the lack of accountability and oversight in the system.
The fact that someone can send law enforcement to terrorize an innocent person based on a whim is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.… Continue reading
As news of the arrest of a 17-year-old alleged ‘serial swatter’ broke, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of shock and frustration. The young individual, identified as Alan Filion, is accused of making threatening calls and false reports, targeting various institutions including mosques, colleges, and government agencies throughout the country. The severity and extent of his alleged actions are deeply unsettling and raise larger concerns about the safety of our society.
One key aspect that struck me is the potential classification of swatting as attempted murder. Filion has been charged with multiple felonies, including false reporting and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, while facilitating or furthering an act of terrorism.… Continue reading