Lancaster Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Swatting and Threats
A Lancaster teen, Alan W. Filion, 18, was sentenced to four years in prison for making interstate threats to injure others, as part of a pattern of swatting and intimidation. Filion, from Lancaster, made over 375 swatting calls between August 2022 and January 2024, targeting various locations across the United States, including religious institutions, schools, and government offices.
Filion’s calls often included threats of bombings, mass shootings, and other violent acts. He would provide false information to law enforcement and emergency responders, including fabricated claims of explosives, weapons, and imminent crimes. His goal was to trigger large police and emergency responses. In some cases, armed officers entered homes with guns drawn, detaining people based on the false information Filion provided.
In addition to creating panic, Filion used swatting for both profit and amusement. He posted online about offering swatting services for a fee, promoting his actions as a business. One post in January 2023 revealed that he had been swatting for years and had started to profit from it.
Filion's criminal activity led to several serious threats, including a May 2023 incident where he threatened a religious institution in Sanford, Florida, claiming to have weapons and explosives, and threatening a mass shooting. He also made threats to a public high school in Washington, a historically Black college in Florida, and a police department in Texas. In these instances, he falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer and made threats of violence.
Filion was arrested in January 2024 in California on charges related to the Florida threat. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of making threatening calls and swatting. This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and local law enforcement agencies, with support from various state and federal departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara Wick led the prosecution, with significant assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies. Filion’s actions have caused significant disruption and are a reminder of the dangers of swatting and false threats.
