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Washington state man charged in more than 20 swatting calls in US, Canada pleads guilty
foxnews.com ^ | 1 day ago | Landon Mion

Posted on 01/30/2024 9:54:48 AM PST by V_TWIN

A Washington state man accused of making more than 20 swatting calls across the U.S. and in Canada, leading to law enforcement responses to his false reports of bombings, shootings and other crimes, pleaded guilty.

Ashton Garcia, 21, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives, U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman said in a news release. Garcia was initially charged with 10 felony counts.

Garcia placed the calls to agencies in Washington state, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Colorado, as well as Edmonton, in Alberta, Canada.

According to federal prosecutors, Garcia used voice-over-internet technology to hide his identity during the calls he made in 2022 and 2023. He also called on others to listen as he broadcast the calls on the social media platform Discord.

In several incidents, Garcia collected personal information about his victims and threatened to send emergency responses to their homes if they did not send him money, credit card information or sexually explicit images.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: ashtongarcia; domesticterrorist; extortion; swatting; terrorism
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To: V_TWIN
"Prosecutors recommend that Garcia serve four years in prison as part of his plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for April."

Just once, I'd love to hear: "Nope. No prison time. However, your picture, name, and address will be sent to the recipients of your crimes, with a promise to not prosecute for any incident involving any of the victims over the next four years. If you you celebrate your birthday after that, thank God that your victims are better human beings than you are."

21 posted on 01/30/2024 10:39:49 AM PST by Tench_Coxe (The woke were surprised by the reaction to the Bud Light fiasco. May there be many more surprises)
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To: V_TWIN

Making these calls should be a felony with a minimum term in hard core prison. This is like tossing a weight from a tall building onto a crowded street. The weight might miss hitting anyone but it just as easily had hit someone. So making this type of call can result in a death or injury and so should be treated as if they intended to harm someone.


22 posted on 01/30/2024 10:40:55 AM PST by CIB-173RDABN (I am not an expert in anything, and my opinion is just that, an opinion. I may be wrong.)
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To: V_TWIN

Now what are they going to do so little turds like him can no longer use the police as a weapon?


23 posted on 01/30/2024 10:41:54 AM PST by discostu (like a dog being shown a card trick)
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To: HombreSecreto

He could start as a tight end on the prison football team and end up as a wide receiver.


24 posted on 01/30/2024 10:42:04 AM PST by Tench_Coxe (The woke were surprised by the reaction to the Bud Light fiasco. May there be many more surprises)
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To: cyclotic

Not nearly enough IMHO - this guy was trying to get people killed. 25 years minimum for each incident. And first degree murder charges for any swatter who gets anyone killed.


25 posted on 01/30/2024 10:42:47 AM PST by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Life so he can never have access to a phone again.


26 posted on 01/30/2024 10:54:28 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: V_TWIN

Good. They always get away with this


27 posted on 01/30/2024 11:08:32 AM PST by MNDude
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To: V_TWIN

He tried to get people killed. Execute him, both for the severity of his crimes and as a deterrent to others. Don’t put him on the taxpayer dole with a prison sentence or release him to continue his wannabe 3rd party serial murder routine.


28 posted on 01/30/2024 11:14:22 AM PST by EnderWiggin1970
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To: V_TWIN

Washington State says one word:
Antifa


29 posted on 01/30/2024 11:19:22 AM PST by Zathras
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Comment #30 Removed by Moderator

To: V_TWIN
Nice to know they can catch these A-holes......if they want to that is

That's the operative phrase "if they want to".

31 posted on 01/30/2024 11:42:12 AM PST by DouglasKC
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To: V_TWIN

What is his political affiliation and who were his victims?


32 posted on 01/30/2024 11:43:03 AM PST by coloradan (They're not the mainstream media, they're the gaslight media. It's what they do. )
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To: SaveFerris

That ‘s not Garcia but Landon Mion from Fox News.


33 posted on 01/30/2024 11:46:14 AM PST by MoraBlack
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To: V_TWIN
Nice to know they can catch these A-holes......if they want to that is

Yes, it's odd how the FBI can't track down democrats calling in fake death threats and fake 'hate crime' they try to blame on conservatives...

34 posted on 01/30/2024 11:50:18 AM PST by GOPJ (“POSIWID” systems engineer's acronym that stands for “the Purpose Of a System Is What It Does.”)
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To: CFW

As usual the media is very sloppy in reporting legal sues. The prosecution is looking for 4 years, but what’s the maximum? Both sides have been victimized by this crime. It can’t be that hard to catch at least some of them. A few, and this guy would be a good start, need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Then this practice will stop as soy boys like this joker won’t like the prospect of hard time very much


35 posted on 01/30/2024 12:26:29 PM PST by j.havenfarm (23 years on Free Republic, 12/22/23! More than 8,000 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: MoraBlack

Oh thanks - popped up on Goooooooogle

I’ll ask for deletion


36 posted on 01/30/2024 1:05:20 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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Comment #37 Removed by Moderator

To: MoraBlack

Ok, ty for clarifying.. I didn’t think he looked like a Garcia..


38 posted on 01/30/2024 2:08:09 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: V_TWIN

Just start shooting these people.


39 posted on 01/30/2024 2:08:11 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: SaveFerris; MoraBlack

Likewise, asked to remove my post with the pic.


40 posted on 01/30/2024 2:09:06 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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