The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has arrested Alan Winston Filion, a 17-year-old from Lancaster, California, for his alleged participation in a swatting incident that targeted the Masjid Al Hayy Mosque in Sanford, Florida.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) carried out a comprehensive investigation prior to the arrest.
Filion is facing multiple felonies, including false reports, unlawful use of communication devices, and swatting. The term “swatting” refers to the malicious act of making false police reports, typically resulting in SWAT teams being dispatched to the location mentioned in the report.
The situation in question began on May 12, 2023, when Seminole County law enforcement got a disturbing call indicating that a mass shooting at the Masjid Al Hayy Mosque was about to take place.
The caller mentioned Satanism and claimed to be in possession of explosives and a weapon. There was also the disturbing sound of gunshots in the background. After around thirty police officers arrived in the area, they found out that the call was a swatting incident that had been staged.
The investigation led by the SCSO’s Domestic Security Division and the FBI uncovered that Filion not only orchestrated the swatting incident on May 12 but was also behind other similar incidents. Authorities traced multiple online accounts offering “swatting services” back to Filion through various IP addresses, ultimately leading them to his residence in California.
On July 15, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at Filion’s home, resulting in the collection of incriminating evidence from the analysis of seized devices. Following this, a warrant for Filion’s arrest was issued based on the gathered information.
Teen Swatting Suspect Extradited Amid Rising Concerns
Filion was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on January 18, 2024, and subsequently extradited to Seminole County, Florida, on January 30. He is currently held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility without bond.
Investigators are exploring the possibility that Filion may be linked to other swatting incidents across the United States. Local authorities are prepared to investigate these cases within their jurisdictions.
This arrest occurs amidst a concerning surge in swatting incidents targeting various individuals, including Republican lawmakers. The act of swatting has become a prevalent and dangerous phenomenon, prompting law enforcement to address the issue more rigorously.
In Florida, swatting was already deemed illegal as a false report to law enforcement. However, recognizing the severity of the issue, legislators passed HB 371 in 2021, classifying swatting as a third-degree felony if injuries result and a second-degree felony if it leads to fatalities. The legislation also mandates full restitution for any costs incurred.
In response to the escalating threat of swatting, federal lawmakers, including Rick Scott, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Sen. Mike Rounds, and Rep.
David Kustoff, have introduced a bill to expand the federal criminal hoax statute, proposing stricter penalties, with sentences of up to 20 years in prison for serious injuries resulting from a swatting attack.
Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations, emphasized the seriousness of swatting calls, citing them as a significant waste of resources and a threat to the safety of officers and innocent individuals at the scene of the fabricated incidents.