The anonymous operator behind the controversial LA Scanner account—widely condemned for urging followers to report sightings of federal agents in Los Angeles—has now been exposed as a possible convicted felon. Court documents reveal the individual, identified as Jack Donald Quillin, was previously convicted of a felony in Ventura County, California.
The LA Scanner account recently posted a call for users to photograph and report Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents spotted in the city. The move drew backlash for encouraging targeted harassment of federal officers, raising serious safety concerns.
Following that post, another user, InsiderWire, disclosed that Quillin had participated in private chat groups until he was removed after court records showed his felony conviction. The documents indicate that, as a convicted felon, Quillin is prohibited from owning or operating a police scanner—an ironic twist given the nature of his online persona and alleged activities.
The Superior Court of California case file confirms Quillin was convicted on September 28, 2023. His conditions of probation explicitly bar him from possessing devices such as pagers, walkie-talkies, or scanners. The account’s activity—under the guise of public safety—raises new questions about legality, intent, and the growing trend of vigilante-style activism on social media.
The exposure has sparked calls for accountability and highlighted the danger of anonymous actors leveraging social media platforms to interfere with law enforcement operations while evading public scrutiny.
