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Justice Department, Secret Service Mark More Guilty Pleas
Doug Caverly
Staff Writer
2009-12-30
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The future of Albert Gonzalez hasn't gotten any brighter since we last discussed him. Yesterday, the hacker (who was already on the hook for 19 charges related to computer hacking and credit card fraud) pleaded guilty to even more crimes.
 | | Justice Department, Secret Service Mark More Guilty Pleas |  |
Before a federal court in Boston, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to payment card networks. He's now looking at a prison term of between 17 and 25 years (whereas before, something in the 15-20 range was much more likely). Sentencing will occur in March of 2010, with Gonzalez remaining in federal custody at the moment.
The U.S. Secret Service (which investigated Gonzalez) and the Justice Department are taking this as a big win. Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer said in a statement, "The Department of Justice will not allow computer hackers to rob consumers of their privacy and erode the public's confidence in the security of the marketplace. Criminals like Albert Gonzalez who operate in the shadows will be caught, exposed and held to account."
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Paul J. Fishman also added, "Commercial hackers like Gonzalez believe they are immune from detection and prosecution as they lurk in the shadows of the Internet. But time and again they are caught, prosecuted and sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms. Other hackers should sit up and take notice."
Let's hope that happens.
About the Author:
Doug is a staff writer for SecurityProNews, InternetFinancialNews, SearchNewz, and WebProNews.
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