A notorious hacker who led a
team of cohorts to break into computer systems and steal more than 170 million payment card numbers -- in what is being called the biggest case of
identity theft in U.S. history -- has pled
guilty to charges that might land him in prison for 25 years, but claims that he suffers from "Internet
addiction" and
Asperger's Syndrome and thus has asked a judge for leniency in his sentencing.
After his May 2008 arrest, Gonzalez drew prosecutors a map that helped them locate over $1 million that he had buried in his parents' backyard. He was initially scheduled to be sentenced on December 21.
As reported via Reuters:
"The judge has delayed sentencing Albert Gonzalez in Boston federal district court for three months, to give prosecutors time to assess the hacker's claim that he may suffer from Asperger syndrome. Gonzalez's attorney hired a psychiatrist who determined that the hacker's criminal behavior 'was consistent with description of the Asperger's disorder' and 'Internet addiction,' according to court documents....
"Prosecutors assert that Gonzalez led a group of hackers who broke into computer systems and stole more than 170 million payment card numbers from data processor Heartland Payment Systems as well as retailers TJX Cos Inc., BJ's Wholesale Club Inc., and Barnes & Noble....
"He faces a prison sentence of 15 to 25 years, and has forfeited $1.1 million in cash, a Miami condominium, a Glock pistol and several computers, according to court documents.
"Gonzalez' attorney, Martin Weinberg, said in a court filing that he sought a minimum sentence because a psychiatrist had found that his client suffered from 'diminished capacity.'"
According to Wired:
"Albert Gonzalez has identified two Russian accomplices who helped him hack into numerous companies and steal more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers. Gonzalez told prosecutors that the hackers breached at least four card processing companies, as well as a series of foreign banks, a brokerage house and several retail store chains....
"Under the terms of his plea agreement, the government has agreed to ask for between 15 to 25 years in prison in the New York and Massachusetts cases, though the U.S. probation office has determined that he qualifies for a life sentence under federal guidelines."
With the number of autism-spectrum diagnoses skyrocketing -- autism affects as many as 1 percent of eight-year-olds, the New York Times reports today -- we are indeed watching legal guidelines and courtroom proceedings changing before our very eyes.
