14 DAY TRIAL // A Russian cybercriminal that is known worldwide as the "bot master" has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for federal crimes, according to Security Week.
Peter Levashov pleaded guilty three years ago to aggravated identity theft, intentional computer damage, wire fraud, and conspiracy. According to the prosecution's written arguments, Levashov spent more than a decade running botnets, including one that had the potential to infect 200,000 machines, collect email addresses, logins, and passwords from infected systems. Prosecutors also stated that Levashov created forums for the purpose of selling and trading stolen identities and credit card numbers.
The U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny recommended a sentence of at least 12 years due to the financial harm caused. He went on to say that Levashov was the mastermind behind three of the most prominent botnets known to authorities: Kelihos, Storm Worm, and Waledac. Then again, the judge ordered Levashov's release three years after. There was also a 90-days delayed before imposing a fine or reparation to obtain additional information about Levashov's financial situation.
Levashov's lawyer defended him by stating that his hacking had little impact
In April 2017, Levashov was apprehended while on vacation in Spain. His arrest was one of a series of cyber-criminals who launched attacks against Russia from countries other than their own, and for whom the United States did not have an extradition arrangement. Although the Russian authorities battled for his extradition, Levashov was eventually extradited to the United States. He was prosecuted in Connecticut because the FBI office in New Haven investigated the case and some of the covert computers were in the state.
Levashov's lawyer, Vadim Glozman, stated that his client’s hacking activity was not difficult enough to warrant a harder penalty. He also mentioned the tough existence of Levashov in Russia, which he claimed led to the urge to look for his family. Glozman maintained that he is modest, apologetic and has already suffered immensely with his misdeeds in the years since his incarceration.
Levashov has been out of prison since January 2020 as a result of an electronic monitoring system. Chatigny indicated that his sentence was also influenced by his separation from his wife and their young kid during the outbreak of the disease.