Former Neo-Nazi Leader Sentenced In Swatting Scheme

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A former leader of a Neo-Nazi organization was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 41 months in prison for his role in a swatting scheme targeting an Alexandria location and others.

John Cameron Denton, 27, of Montgomery, Texas, the former leader of the Atomwaffen Division in Texas, participated in a swatting scheme that targeted 134 different locations in the U.S., according to prosecutors. Swatting is defined as a harassment tactic that involves calling in fake emergencies to send police and emergency services to a target's address. Prosecutors believe Denton and co-conspirators chose targets motivated by racial prejudice.

In the Eastern District of Virginia, targets included a then-U.S. Cabinet official living in Northern Virginia on Jan. 27, 2019; purported bomb threat at Old Dominion University on Nov. 29 and Dec. 4, 2018; and purported bomb threat at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Old Town Alexandria on Nov. 3, 2018.

The swatting call at Alfred Street Baptist Church, a largely African-American church, happened during a church service. The caller claimed to have placed pipe bombs in the church, mentioned the word shooting and said he was going to kill everyone at the church. Alexandria Police evacuated the building, which had been holding a church service. A sweep of the building determined the call was a false bomb threat.

According to court documents, one conspirator admitted to targeting Alfred Street Baptist Church because its congregation is predominantly African American.

"The reprehensible conduct in this case terrorized communities across our Nation, as innocent Americans simply tried to attend school, practice their faith, and exercise their First Amendment rights," said Raj Parekh, acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, in a statement. "The defendants caused irreversible trauma to the victims of these hate-based crimes. This case sends an unmistakable message that those who target individuals because of their race, religion, or any other form of bias, will be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice."

Denton personally selected at least two targets: non-profit newsroom ProPublica's New York City office and an investigative journalist for ProPublica. Prosecutors say Denton was angry with ProPublica and the journalist for publishing his identity and discussing his role in the Atomwaffen Division. Atomwaffen Division is considered an extremist group with targets including racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ community, the U.S. government, journalists, and critical infrastructure.

As officials were investigating the scheme, Denton unknowingly met with an undercover cop. Prosecutors say Denton revealed his role in the scheme and admitted to swatting the ProPublica office and investigative journalist. He detailed using a voice changer when making swatting calls and bragged about how being "raided" for swatting would be viewed as a top-tier crime. He believed his arrest would benefit the Neo-Nazi organization.

In March, John William Kirby Kelley, 20, of was sentenced to 33 months in prison for his role in the scheme.