Missouri Man Charged With Trying To Shutdown Phila.Gov

PHILADELPHIA - Michael Crockett, 29, of Kansas City, Missouri, was charged today by Information with attempting to intentionally damage a computer, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

The Information alleges that between September 24 and 26, 2012, Crocket knowingly caused the transmission of codes and commands to a computer hosting the City of Philadelphia’s website, www.phila.gov, in an attempt to shut down that website.  This type of attack is known as and described as a distributed denial of service attack (DDOS).  Crockett’s actions caused a loss to the city of more than $5,000.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.

Click here to view the indictment

An Indictment or Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525