A 17-year-old from California, identified as a “serial swatter,” who goes by the name Torswats is charged in Florida for orchestrating numerous swatting incidents, including a bomb threat at a mosque. The suspect, Alan Filion, targeted various locations, making false reports and creating dangerous situations.
Key Points
- Filion extradited to Florida, faces charges for a swatting incident at a mosque.
- Swatting involves making false police reports to lure law enforcement to a location under false pretenses.
- Celebrities, federal judges, lawmakers, and public buildings, including the White House, have been recent targets.
- Filion aka Torswats threatened a mass shooting at a Florida mosque, leading to a substantial law enforcement response.
- He also targeted high schools, historically Black colleges, FBI offices, and military bases.
Investigation and Arrest
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and Department of Justice collaborated to track Filion’s activities.
- Filion created accounts on swatting service websites, and IP addresses linked to these accounts led to his California home.
- Law enforcement executed a search warrant in July 2023, leading to Filion’s arrest on January 18.
Legal Proceedings
Filion faces felony charges, including false reporting and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Charges accuse him of committing acts of terrorism and showing prejudice during the offenses.
- He entered a not-guilty plea, remains in custody, and his attorney declined to comment.
Law Enforcement’s Response
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma emphasized the seriousness of swatting, highlighting the danger it poses to innocent lives and the strain on resources.
“Make no mistake, we will continue to work tirelessly to apprehend swatting perpetrators,” Lemma stated.
