A court has sentenced celebrity hacker Christopher Chaney to 10 years in a federal prison for hacking into the accounts of at least 50 individuals according to Hollywood Reporter.
Chaney pleaded guilty to hacking into email accounts belonging to stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Christina Aguilera and Renee Olsetad.
Chaney released nude photos of Johansson and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," star Olstead while on the loose.
According Hollywood Reporter, U.S. Court judge S. James Otero said, during a hearing on Monday Chaney's conduct demonstrated a "callous disregard to the victims."
Chaney pried into the lives of 50 individuals over the years, two of which noncelebrites. The judge said Chaney, a citizen of Florida had been stalking victims for 10 years. The court ruled Chaney must pay $66,179 in restitution.
Chaney pled guilty to wiretapping and unauthorized access to protected computers. Prosecutors suggested that the hacker receive 71 months in prison and receive high financial penalties but the judge opted for longer prison time rather than issuing a hefty fine.
Directly after the verdict in a press release, law enforcement warned citizens to do a better job at safeguarding their privacy over the Internet.
"Mr. Chaney methodically targeted his victims based on their celebrity without regard for the law or the impact the theft of personal and intimate details would have to their lives," said Bill Lewis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles field office. "This case illustrates the need for cybersecurity vigilance by computer users and, in addition, may serve as a deterrent for anyone contemplating similar intrusions."
Chaney was not remorseful of his action at all telling GQ Magazine earlier this year that it was "a rush," doing what he did and distribution of private photos to websites was done as "part bragging and part proving who I was to someone."
© 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
