Teen serial swatter who allegedly made hundreds of false threats in US charged $75 for hoax mass shooting
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA: Alan Filion, 17, has been arrested and extradited to Florida, facing allegations of being a "serial swatter."
The California teen is accused of making hundreds of false threats, including vowing to shoot up a mosque, targeting FBI members, and threatening students on high school and college campuses, as well as the Pentagon.
Alan Filion allegedly charged $75 to call in hoax bomb threats
The arrest stems from a call received by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in May, where the caller threatened a mass shooting at the Masjid Al Hayy Mosque in Sanford, Florida. This incident was later determined to be a swatting incident, where a hoax call prompted a large-scale emergency response.
“The caller made references to Satanism and stated he had handgun and explosive devices. He then began playing audio of gunfire in the background. In response to the call, approximately 30 law enforcement officers respond to the MasjidAl Hayy Mosque. After arriving on the scene and finding no shooter and the mosque staff safe, it was determined to be a swatting incident,” authorities said.
Filion has also been accused of offering to call in pranks in exchange for money, Fox reported. In one Facebook post allegedly made by Filion, the teen offered to call 911 over a fake gas leak or fire for $40. Filion also offered to call in bomb threats or mass shootings for $75, reports The Guardian.
Alan Filion's disturbing search history
An arrest affidavit revealed disturbing details from Filion's computer, including searches expressing violent intentions such as “Execute them. Kill them. Behead them. Roadhouse kick them into the concrete. Slam dunk them into the trashcan. Crucify them. Curb stomp them. Report them to the IRS. Twist their heads off. Crush their heads in the trash compactor. Liquefy them in a vat of avid."
"Exterminate them in the execution chamber. Stomp their skulls with steel toed boots…” alongside queries about "how many Jews are in the US," "satanic rituals," and "criminal mastermind swatting."
Alan Filion made hoax threats across US states
Court records suggest that Filion conducted swatting calls in various locations, with incidents reported in Washington, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Houston, Maryland, and Iowa. He allegedly tried to pin one of the calls on another student and boasted online about owning body armor and pipe bombs.
It remains to be known whether he will face charges in other jurisdictions for the multitude of swatting incidents he is alleged to have orchestrated.
Nevertheless, Filion is accused of encouraging others to place "orders" with him to make dangerous calls, often using handles inspired by JRR Tolkien’s 'Lord of the Rings' on social media platforms like Telegram.
Facing four charges in Florida, including false reporting of explosives and acts of terrorism, he is currently held without bail and Filon's court appearance is scheduled for March 19.
