14 DAY TRIAL // Jeremy Hammond, the 28-year-old hacktivist accused of breaching the systems of several organizations, has pleaded guilty.
According to the Manhattan US Attorney, Hammond, known on the hacking scene as “Anarchaos,” has pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in computer hacking for his role in the December 2011 attack on Stratfor, which affected around 860,000 individuals.
In addition, he has also admitted his involvement in hacks that targeted the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Virtual Academy, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the Alabama Sheriff’s Office in Jefferson County.
“While he billed himself as fighting for an anarchist cause, in reality, Jeremy Hammond caused personal and financial chaos for individuals whose identities and money he took and for companies whose businesses he decided he didn’t like,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
“He was nothing more than a repeat offender cybercriminal who thought that because of his computer savvy he was above the law that binds and protects all of us – the same law that assured his rights in a court of law and allowed him to decide whether to admit his guilt or assert his innocence,” Bharara added.
“Computer hacking is a very serious crime that violates the privacy and economic security of its victims and disrupts legitimate commerce. We will continue to make the prosecution and punishment of cybercriminals like Jeremy Hammond a top priority.”
In a statement published after the plea, Hammond said it was a difficult decision. However, he has argued that he believes “in the power of truth.”
“I do not want to hide what I did or to shy away from my actions. This non-cooperating plea agreement frees me to tell the world what I did and why, without exposing any tactics or information to the government and without jeopardizing the lives and well-being of other activists on and offline,” Hammond said.
“Now that I have pleaded guilty it is a relief to be able to say that I did work with Anonymous to hack Stratfor, among other websites,” he added.
“Those others included military and police equipment suppliers, private intelligence and information security firms, and law enforcement agencies. I did this because I believe people have a right to know what governments and corporations are doing behind closed doors. I did what I believe is right.”
The sentencing is scheduled for September 6. The hacktivist faces up to 10 years in prison. He has also agreed to pay up to $2.5 million (€1.9 million).
Hammond has already spent 15 months in prison.