Washington 'Cyberterrorist' Pleads Guilty to Over 20 'Swatting' Calls

Ashton Connor Garcia used voice-over-internet technology to make false threats, broadcasting them on Discord and extorting victims for money and explicit images.

• Ashton Connor Garcia, a 21-year-old from Washington State, has pleaded guilty to making over 20 'swatting' calls, falsely reporting bombs, shootings and other threats to law enforcement agencies in the US and Canada.
• Garcia, who referred to himself as a 'cyberterrorist', used voice-over-internet technology to conceal his identity during the calls, which he made from June 2022 through March 2023.
• He broadcasted these calls on the social media platform Discord, encouraging others to watch and participate.
• In some cases, Garcia collected personal information about his victims and threatened to send emergency responses to their homes unless they turned over money, credit card information or sexually explicit images.
• Garcia's sentencing is scheduled for April, with prosecutors recommending a four-year prison term.

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