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Complete written investigation summary
In August 2022, a 15-year-old in Lancaster, California posted a price menu on Telegram: $40 for a gas leak, $50 for a major police response, $75 for a bomb threat. Over 18 months, Alan Winston Filion — operating as “Torswats” — made more than 375 swatting calls targeting mosques, schools, Congress members, and a federal agent’s family at 2:45 in the morning. He was 18 when a federal judge gave him 48 months.
Built from 20 federal court documents including the plea agreement, both sentencing memoranda, and the amended judgment. Read the full episode announcement, get the case files, and listen on Substack.
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Alan Winston Filion operated a swatting-for-hire service under the alias Torswats. Between August 2022 and January 2024, he made more than 375 swatting calls across the United States.
Swatting is making a false emergency call designed to trigger an armed law enforcement response at someones location.
Judge Carlos E. Mendoza sentenced Filion to 48 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment.
Alan Filion is serving his 48-month federal prison sentence and is appealing before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
United States v. Alan Winston Filion is a federal case about a teenager who ran a swatting-for-hire service from his bedroom in Lancaster, California, making 375+ calls across 18 months.
All information verified against official court records and primary documentation
Every fact cited in this investigation is sourced from official court documents, FBI records, or verified news archives. No speculation or unverified claims.
For Researchers: All court documents available to email subscribers. Citations follow Bluebook legal citation format where applicable.
