Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Computer Fraud Charge

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of computer fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Kevin N. Ukaegbu, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on December 5, 2022, Ukaegbu, formerly a graduate nurse at Allegheny General Hospital, criminally used the hospital credentials of a Highmark resident physician and attempted to modify prescription medications for two patients, putting one of the patients at risk of serious bodily harm. In neither case was the medicine administered to the patients.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, 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 Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations of the United States Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of Highmark Health Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ukaegbu.