A former United States Army soldier was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for a campaign of hacking and extortion that targeted at least ten U.S. technology and telecommunications companies.
The court found that the defendant gained unauthorized access to the networks of the companies between April 2023 and December 2024, then used the compromised systems to demand payment in exchange for halting further intrusion.
Prosecutors said the scheme involved multiple victims across the tech and telecom sectors, though the specific firms were not identified in the public filing.
In addition to the prison term, the sentencing order included the standard restitution and forfeiture provisions that accompany federal cyber‑crime convictions, though the exact amounts were not disclosed.
Cyber‑security officials note that cases involving former military personnel underscore the importance of stringent background checks and ongoing monitoring, as expertise in information systems can be misused for criminal purposes.
<small>Source: Bleeping Computer — read the original story there.</small>
