14 DAY TRIAL // Barrett Brown, the activist and journalist known for Project PM and his support for the Anonymous movement, has reportedly signed a plea deal with the prosecution in the case related to the hacking of Stratfor.
The plea agreement has been sealed by the court, so it’s uncertain what Brown has agreed to. However, a court document obtained by Wired shows that the prosecution has agreed to change the charges against the journalist.
Brown is now charged only with two offenses: assisting the individual who breached the systems of Stratfor after the attack took place, and obstructing the execution of a search warrant.
The obstruction charge refers to the fact that Brown and his mother tried to hide a laptop while officers searched her home.
The accessory after the fact to an unauthorized access to a protected computer charge accuses Brown of assisting an individual nicknamed “o” (possibly Jeremy Hammond) “with the specific purpose and plan to hinder and prevent ‘o’s’ apprehension, trial and punishment.”
Authorities say he created confusion regarding the hacker’s identity and the purpose of the attack. He’s also said to have communicated with Stratfor representatives in a manner that diverted attention away from the attacker.
Initially, Brown was charged for posting a hyperlink to data leaked by hackers from Stratfor, but around one month ago, prosecutors agreed to drop 11 of the linking-related charges.
In a third indictment, Brown is charged with threatening an FBI agent. It’s uncertain if the plea agreement covers this charge as well. Wired reports that the maximum statutory sentence is five years between both cases.
“The Barrett Brown who I know and call my friend has never been one to compromise with the government. But in this instance, I think he recognizes that taking this case before a jury in conservative Texas is a needless roll of the dice,” Kevin Gallagher, the director of Brown’s legal defense fund, noted after news of the plea agreement came to light.
“In fact, I think this whole thing would have been settled long ago, if not for the fact that the government had filed excessive and meritless charges which they later dropped. I’m pleased that the parties were able to reach this agreement,” Gallagher added.
“Although in principle he shouldn’t have to plea to anything, this spares everyone the spectacle of a costly trial, and the bottom line is that Barrett will be coming home – as he’s already served 19 months unnecessarily. Supporters can be assured that this is in accordance with Barrett’s wishes plus expert legal advice.”