A 21-year-old man from Washington, Ashton Connor Garcia, has been sentenced to three years in prison for making 20 false emergency reports to police, including claims of explosive devices planted in various locations in the United States and Canada. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Garcia was sentenced for four federal felonies related to extensive illegal harassing activity, also known as swatting.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle, who emphasized the need to send a strong message that engaging in swatting will result in significant consequences. Swatting involves making hoax calls to law enforcement to dispatch armed tactical units to a specific address, diverting resources from real emergencies.
Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes involving explosives. Prosecutors stated that between June 2022 and March 2023, Garcia contacted emergency services through the Internet and phone calls, urging others to watch his illegal activities online.
Garcia targeted victims in multiple states and Canada, making false claims about explosive devices and accusing individuals of serious crimes like murder and kidnapping. He gathered personal information about his victims, threatened them, and demanded money, virtual currency, credit card information, or explicit photos.
The false phone calls led police to arrive at targeted locations with weapons drawn, detaining victims based on Garcia’s fabricated information. Garcia admitted that the calls were intended to harass, intimidate, retaliate, and extort items of value.
The rise in swatting incidents, including those targeting lawmakers like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, highlights the seriousness of these crimes. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman emphasized the danger posed by swatting, stressing that it is a federal crime with potentially fatal consequences.
The sentencing of Garcia serves as a warning to those who engage in swatting activities, highlighting the severe impact on victims, first responders, and the public. The Epoch Times has reached out to Garcia’s attorney for comment on the case. Please rewrite this sentence for me.
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