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United States Attorney David E. Nahmias Northern District of Georgia |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT: Patrick Crosby |
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NORCROSS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HACKING
FORMER EMPLOYER’S
COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Intrusion Shut Down Communications and Internet Services in Dallas, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge
Atlanta, GA - WILLIAM BRYANT, 38, of Norcross, Georgia, pleaded guilty today in federal district court to knowingly causing the transmission of information to a computer used in interstate commerce, and as a result intentionally and without authorization causing damage to that computer.
“Hacking--intruding into and causing damage to a computer system--is a serious crime,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. “Such electronic attacks threaten our nation’s technological infrastructure, and we will aggressively investigate and prosecute them.”
According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: BRYANT is a former employee of Cox Communications, Inc. which operates a computer and telecommunications system throughout the United States. After being asked to resign his position with Cox, BRYANT remotely shut down portions of the company’s system, resulting in the loss of computer and telecommunications services, including access to 9-1-1 emergency services, for Cox customers throughout Dallas, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge. Cox technicians restored service within hours.
BRYANT was charged in a Criminal Information in August, 2007 with one count of knowingly causing the transmission of information to a computer used in interstate commerce, and as a result intentionally and without authorization causing damage to that computer. He pleaded guilty to the charge in federal district court today. He could receive a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 13, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., before United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence R. Sommerfeld is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced NAH-meus), United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan .
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