Jul 27, 2024… A little leisure time could do you a lot of good today, Aries. While you may have a busy schedule, it pays to keep your eye out for spare moments to kick back. If you can carve out even a little time for yourself, it can reboot your soul. Doing the things you love will start the weekend off right. A bit of relaxation today can energize your mind and body for a great weekend.
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
Jul 27, 2024… You will likely be riding the strong current of independence today. It could be that you’re testing the waters or trying to set your own boundaries, Aquarius. Whatever your reasons, you could be inclined to fly solo. Doing things on your own can give you a great confidence boost, but be careful not to push anyone away. It’s great to blaze your own path; just remember that company may be comforting on a stroll.
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
Jul 27, 2024… You will likely be riding the strong current of independence today. It could be that you’re testing the waters or trying to set your own boundaries, Aquarius. Whatever your reasons, you could be inclined to fly solo. Doing things on your own can give you a great confidence boost, but be careful not to push anyone away. It’s great to blaze your own path; just remember that company may be comforting on a stroll.
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
Jul 27, 2024… You will likely be riding the strong current of independence today. It could be that you’re testing the waters or trying to set your own boundaries, Aquarius. Whatever your reasons, you could be inclined to fly solo. Doing things on your own can give you a great confidence boost, but be careful not to push anyone away. It’s great to blaze your own path; just remember that company may be comforting on a stroll.
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
Jul 27, 2024… You will likely be riding the strong current of independence today. It could be that you’re testing the waters or trying to set your own boundaries, Aquarius. Whatever your reasons, you could be inclined to fly solo. Doing things on your own can give you a great confidence boost, but be careful not to push anyone away. It’s great to blaze your own path; just remember that company may be comforting on a stroll.
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Washington State man has been jailed after repeatedly making fake calls to police. The 21-year-old called in false bomb warnings and accused other people of crimes to get responders sent to their homes. The judge said he was jailing him to send a message that “swatting” is a serious crime during sentencing.
In January, Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. Garcia had made at least 20 calls to police across ten states and one Canadian province. In some, he claimed to have planted bombs. In others, he accused victims of a range of crimes, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. It turned out he’d tried to blackmail some of those victims, threatening them with harm — including “swatting,” so-called because it involves getting a SWAT team sent to someone’s home — if they didn’t pay up.
As well as attempting blackmail, Garcia used his swatting as entertainment. He broadcast calls to police over the internet chat app Discord, and told online friends he was a “cyber terrorist.” In his plea deal, he admitted he’d wanted to force large-scale police deployments. Although he could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the threats he made, part of his plea agreement was that prosecutors would recommend a maximum of four years.
At Garcia’s sentencing hearing on June 5, US District Judge Benjamin H Settle honored the agreement and sentenced Garcia to three years imprisonment. The judge said he felt the sentence was appropriate because he needed to send a message that anyone who carried out a swatting attack “will get more than a slap on the hand.”
That message needs to get through because swatting is a growing problem. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was one recent high-profile victim, but most swatting is done to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against someone as part of a personal dispute — and it can have deadly consequences.
Copyright 2024, UnitedVoice.com
| " | " | “ | Quotation Mark |
| & | & | & | Ampersand |
| / | / | / | Slash |
| < | < | < | Less Than Sign |
| > | > | > | Greater Than Sign |
| ‚ | ‚ | ‚ | Single Low-9 Quote |
| „ | „ | „ | Double Low-9 Quote |
| — | — | — | Em dash |
| — | – | – | En dash |
| ‰ | ‰ | ‰ | Per Mill Sign |
| ‹ | ‹ | ‹ | Single Left Angle Quote |
| ‘ | ‘ | ‘ | Left Single Quote |
| ’ | ’ | ’ | Right Single Quote |
| “ | “ | “ | Left Double Quote |
| ” | ” | ” | Right Double Quote |
| ™ | ™ |  |
Trademark Symbol |
| › | › | › | Single Right Angle Quote |
|   | | Non Breaking Space | |
| ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | Inverted Exclamation Point |
| ¢ | ¢ | ¢ | Cent Sign |
| £ | £ | £ | Pound Sterling |
| ¤ | ¤ | ¤ | General Currency Sign |
| ¥ | ¥ | ¥ | Yen Sign |
| ¦ | ¦ | ¦ | Broken Vertical Bar |
| § | § | § | Section Sign |
| ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | Umlaut (Dieresis) |
| © | © | © | Copyright Symbol |
| ª | ª | ª | Feminine Ordinal |
| « | « | « | Left Angle Quote, Left Guillemet |
| ¬ | ¬ | ¬ | Not Sign |
| ­ | ­ | | Soft Hyphen |
| ® | ® | ® | Registered Trademark |
| ¯ | ¯ | ¯ | Macron, Overline |
| ± | ± | ± | Plus or Minus |
| ² | ² | ² | Superscript Two |
| ³ | ³ | ³ | Superscript Three |
| ´ | ´ | ´ | Acute Accent |
| º | º | º | Masculine Ordinal |
| » | » | » | Right Angle Quote, Right Guillemet |
| • | • | • | Bullet / Black Small Circle |
| … | … | … | Horizontal Ellipsis |
| ′ | ′ | ′ | Prime / Minutes / Feet |
| ″ | ″ | ″ | Double Prime / Seconds / Inches |
| ‾ | ‾ | ‾ | Overline |
