California Teen Behind Nationwide Swatting Spree Arrested for Targeting FBI, Florida Mosque

Law enforcement officials have apprehended a 17-year-old California teen, Alan Winston Filion, believed to be the mastermind behind a nationwide swatting spree.

Filion now faces charges related to his alleged targeting of the FBI and orchestrating a swatting attempt at a Florida mosque, according to court documents.

California Teen's Nationwide Swatting Spree

Alan Winston Filion, a 17-year-old resident of Lancaster, California, was arrested last month at his home and subsequently extradited to Florida, where he faces charges as an adult.

The charges include four felonies connected to false reporting, specifically the initiation of law enforcement responses through swatting attempts.

Filion entered a not guilty plea and is currently held without bail at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility.

The government alleges that Filion is the perpetrator behind a staggering number of swatting incidents across the nation, targeting a spectrum ranging from high schools and historically Black colleges to the homes of FBI agents.

Shockingly, his alleged targets even included his own home. This revelation comes through a motion filed by the government seeking Filion's detention in connection with the Florida mosque swatting attempt last year.

In May of the previous year, Seminole County law enforcement responded to a concerning call regarding an armed individual entering the Masjid Al Hayy Mosque in Sanford, Florida, with intentions of carrying out a mass shooting.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the call to be a hoax, exposing Filion's involvement. The caller's voice in the mosque incident reportedly matched that of the voice heard in swatting attempts involving FBI personnel.

Unmasking the 17-Year-Old's Swatting Web

Newly unsealed court documents obtained by NBC News reveal the extent of Filion's alleged activities.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office and the FBI have been tracking Filion's posts on Telegram, where he purportedly offered swatting services and shared recordings of swatting calls.

The alleged incidents extend beyond Florida, with records pointing to swatting attempts in Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.

The documents also suggest Filion's involvement in antisemitic online activities and a peculiar affinity for "The Lord of the Rings."

Authorities claim Filion exhibited a pattern in his calls, consistently referring to weapons such as AR-15s and pipe bombs and making references to Satan. Shockingly, there are even posts where Filion reportedly admitted to swatting his own home.

Filion and his father, agreeing to an interview with authorities, faced difficulty when questioned about the alleged swatting of their own residence. The interview was terminated abruptly, adding to the complexities surrounding this intricate case.

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma emphasized the dangers associated with swatting, describing it as a perilous and senseless crime that endangers innocent lives and depletes valuable resources.

The arrest warrant affidavit underscores the potential consequences of swatting, highlighting the risks faced by responding officers and the victims, including the possibility of accidental fatalities.

The challenges in combating swatting are further compounded by the anonymity often maintained by those making fraudulent calls, utilizing technology to mask their voices, caller information, and locations.

This recent arrest sheds light on a pervasive issue that has targeted not only law enforcement but also public figures, raising concerns about the need for continued efforts to identify and apprehend swatting perpetrators.