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Press Release

New York Man Admits Sending Spam

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A New York resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating the CAN-SPAM ACT, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Eric L. Crocker, 39, of Binghamton, NY, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill. Crocker is one of 12 individuals charged in connection with a significant computer hacking forum known as Darkode, which has since been dismantled.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Crocker knowingly accessed a protected computer without authorization, namely a computer that had been infected by the Facebook Spreader and Slenfbot, and did intentionally initiate the transmission of multiple commercial electronic mail messages from or through such computer.

Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for Nov. 23, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 3 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Eric L. Crocker.

Updated August 19, 2015

Topic
Cybercrime