Ted Lieu issued the following statement regarding the recent announcement by the Department of Justice sentencing Mir Islam. Islam was sentenced to 24 months in prison on three federal charges for conspiracy to commit various crimes including “swatting” and “doxing” numerous victims as well as making false bomb threats and engaging in online cyber-stalking. On April 19, 2013, Congressman Lieu was a victim of “swatting” when someone posing as him reported to police that he had shot his wife at their home in Torrance. In his victim impact statement, Congressman Lieu detailed that harrowing day and the negative effects Mr. Islam’s actions had on him and his family. As a State Senator, Congressman Lieu authored California State Senate Bill 333, which increased the fines an individual would have to pay for making false 9-1-1 calls, which then led him to be a target of such action.
“I want to thank the Court today for rendering the appropriate sentence for the perpetrator who caused so many people much distress. I believe “swatting” is a serious crime that can result in injuries or deaths. It causes significant disruptions to first responders and is a wasteful allocation of critical resources that should otherwise be used for real emergencies. I commend the FBI and their incredible work and dedication in tracking down Mr. Islam. I also want to thank the first responders, especially from the City of Torrance, for their professionalism during that time. Elected officials should never be criminally targeted or become victims of crime because of legislation we choose to author. It is my hope that this sentencing will deter others from committing similar criminal acts.”
