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Former Atomwaffen Division Leader Pleads Guilty to Swatting Conspiracy
justice.gov ^ | July 14, 2020 | U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Virginia

Posted on 07/14/2020 6:24:21 PM PDT by ransomnote

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former leader of the white supremacist group Atomwaffen Division pleaded guilty today to charges related to his role in a conspiracy that conducted multiple swatting events targeting journalists, a Virginia university, a historic Virginia church, and a former cabinet official.

According to court documents, John Cameron Denton, 26, of Montgomery, Texas, is a former leader of the Atomwaffen Division in Texas. From October 2018 to at least April 2019, Denton and several others conspired together to conduct “swatting” calls. Swatting is a harassment tactic that involves deceiving dispatchers into believing that a person or persons are in imminent danger of death or bodily harm and causing the dispatchers to send police and emergency services to an unwitting third party’s address.

“Swatting is a dangerous act with potentially tragic consequences,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Sending law enforcement and emergency responders rushing to an individual’s home, business, or place of worship, in an effort to target individuals because of their race or religious affiliation or simply to create chaos shows both criminal behavior and a complete disregard for public safety. This office is committed to locating and investigating individuals responsible for such threats, and when appropriate, will seek federal charges.” 

According to court documents, Denton participated in a conspiracy that conducted three swatting calls that occurred here in the Eastern District of Virginia: a former Cabinet official living in Northern Virginia on Jan. 27, 2019; Old Dominion University on Nov. 29 and Dec. 4, 2018; and Alfred Street Baptist Church on Nov. 3, 2018.

Additionally, Denton chose at least two targets to “swat”: the New York City office of ProPublica, a non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism; and an investigative journalist that produced materials for ProPublica. Denton chose the two targets because he was furious with ProPublica and the investigative journalist for publishing his true identity and discussing his role in Atomwaffen Division.

“The FBI takes swatting seriously because it can have harmful consequences and puts innocent people and first responders at risk,” said James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “Putting the lives of others in danger by swatting is senseless and criminal.  The FBI's Washington Field Office will continue to work with our partners to locate and apprehend those who are responsible for such threats.”

During the investigation, Denton unknowingly met with an undercover law enforcement officer and told the undercover officer about his role in the swatting conspiracy. Denton stated that he used a voice changer when he made swatting calls, and admitted that he swatted the offices of ProPublica and the investigative journalist. He also stated that it would be good if he was “raided” for the swatting because it would be viewed as a top tier crime, and he felt that his arrest could benefit Atomwaffen Division.

Denton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, interstate threats to injure. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison when sentenced on November 17. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina A. Cuellar is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:20-cr-154.

Topic(s): 
Hate Crimes
Component(s): 
Contact: 
Joshua Stueve Director of Public Affairs joshua.stueve@usdoj.gov


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 201810; 202006; atomwaffen; bellcurve; brandonrussell; denton; johncamerondenton; johndenton; propublica; swatting; texas

1 posted on 07/14/2020 6:24:21 PM PDT by ransomnote
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To: ransomnote

Phony hate crime complaints are “Swatting” too.

one teacher tried to pin his ‘crime’ on a random white person out walking a dog.

And it is doubtful that someone “24” years old is the “head” of any “powerful” organization. A legend in his own mind perhaps.

Charge people who file false charges and abuse 911 but enough with the hysteria and hyperbole.


2 posted on 07/14/2020 6:29:12 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Joe Biden- "First thing I'd do is repeal those Trump tax cuts." (May 4th, 2019))
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To: a fool in paradise

Phony domestic violence calls are swatting as well.

Sadly almost never prosecuted.


3 posted on 07/14/2020 6:30:43 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: ransomnote
multiple swatting events targeting journalists

I would have found him Not Guilty, I think the best way to stop the Militarized Police and No Knock anything is to have them Regularly Go through the process themselves by ALLOWING the SWATTING of ANY Public Servant or Officer of the Court, yes JUDGES TOO!!!
4 posted on 07/14/2020 7:03:25 PM PDT by eyeamok
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To: ransomnote

IMHO, swatting should be treated as attempted capital murder. If anyone is killed, then the person making the swatting call should be charged with capital murder - whether the deceased is the targeted victim or a law enforcement officer.


5 posted on 07/14/2020 7:12:23 PM PDT by Fred Hayek (The Democratic Party is now the operational arm of the CPUSA)
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To: ransomnote
“The FBI takes swatting seriously because it can have harmful consequences and puts innocent people and first responders at risk,” said James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office Criminal Division.

Sounds just like what the did to Roger Stone.

6 posted on 07/14/2020 7:14:45 PM PDT by Alas Babylon! (The prisons do not fill themselves. Get moving, Barr!)
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To: ransomnote

7 posted on 07/14/2020 11:35:21 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change with out notice.)
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To: ransomnote
Denton chose the two targets because he was furious with ProPublica and the investigative journalist for publishing his true identity and discussing his role in Atomwaffen Division

Evidently Atomwaffen was founded in 2015 by a young guy named Brandon Russell. Seems like a made-to-order hate group founded in time for the 2016 election... they haven't been around very long and I find it very surprising that ProPublica somehow heard of the group since it hasn't exactly got a high profile. I wonder how it came to their attention in the first place?

8 posted on 02/06/2023 1:14:59 PM PST by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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