Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofJustice
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Former 21-year-old soldier stationed in Texas pleads guilty to hacking, extortion scheme
TEXAS (WHNT) — A former U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Cavazos entered a guilty plea in federal court Tuesday. According to federal documents and the U.S. Department of Justice, 21-year-old Cameron John Wagenius used online accounts associated with the nickname 'kiberphant0m' to conspire with 3 other people to defraud at least 10 victim organizations. The DOJ said Wagenius did so by obtaining login credentials for the organization's protected computer networks between April 2023 and December 18, 2024. Huntsville International Airport sets monthly passenger traffic record for June The DOJ said the conspirators obtained the credentials using a hacking tool called SSH Brute, among other names. The DOJ said they used Telegram group chats to transfer the stolen credentials and talk about gaining access to victim companies' networks. The release says all of this happened while Wagenius was on active duty with the U.S. Army. 'After data was stolen, the conspirators extorted the victim organizations both privately and in public forums. The extortion attempts included threats to post the stolen data on cybercrime forums such as BreachForums and The conspirators offered to sell stolen data for thousands of dollars via posts on these forums. They successfully sold at least some of this stolen data and also used stolen data to perpetuate other frauds, including SIM-swapping. In total, Wagenius and his co-conspirators attempted to extort at least $1 million from victim data owners.' U.S. Department of Justice The plea agreement says Wagenius and the co-conspirators, after gaining access to the victim's accounts, threatened to leak the stolen data unless a ransom was paid. From there, the federal document says the conspirators worked to gain access to 'hundreds of thousands' of sensitive business and customer records. This information included non-content call and text history records, telecommunication identifying information and other personally identifiable information. Some examples of the messages sent to the victims are listed below, per federal documents. 'At least on or about April 23, 2023, until at least June 16, 2023, Defendant, Co-Conspirator-1 and others participated in a Telegram group chat. The chat members repeatedly discussed stealing computer credentials, including through brute force attacks used to guess username and password combinations, and transferred stolen credentials among themselves.' DOJ Plea Agreement Document '[I]n or about May 2024, Defendant and Co-Conspirator-1 accessed the computer systems of Victim-1, a telecommunications company located overseas, and stole information pertaining to hundreds of thousands of Victim-1's customers. This stolen information included International Mobile Subscriber Identity, SIM card numbers, maskerkey, and other information needed to successfully clone SIM cards.' DOJ Plea Agreement Document '[I[n or about August and September 2024, Defendant, Co-Conspirator-1, Co-Conspirator-2, and Co-Conspirator-3 accessed the protected computer systems of Victim-3, a tecnology company located in the United States and stole information pertaining to thousands of Victim-2's customers, including telephone numbers belonging to real people who were Victim-2's customers. Victim-2 was a telecommunications company located in the United States, and some of Vicitm-2's stolen data was hosted on Victim-3's computer systems located in Texas and North Carolina.' DOJ Plea Agreement Document 'Defendant and others publicly and privately extorted victims by threatening to sell or otherwise distribute their stolen data unless the victims paid ransoms. They did so through online posts on online cybercrim forums catering to criminals, such as BreachForums and Telegram channels dedicated to online frauds and other cybercrimes; direct messages on Telegram; and other online platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter). Some of these posts and messages offered to sell the data in exchange for fiat currency and cryptocurrency, while others attempted to extort the victim companies, requesting payment in order to avoid publication of the stolen data. Some posts also published sample data stolen from the victims. The platforms on which these posts were made could be accessed from computers located anywhere in the world, including the Western District of Washington.' DOJ Plea Agreement Document '[O]n or about October 22, 2024, Defendant contacted Victim-2 and wrote, 'If I'm not contacted all 358+ [gigabytes] of data on the [Victim-2] network will be released.' Defendant sent this message, which was transmitted in interstate and foreign commerce, as part of Defendant's efforts to extort a ransom payment from Victim-2. DOJ Plea Agreement Document '[O]n or about November 6, 2024, Defendant sent multiple emails to Victim-4, a telecommunications company located in the United States, sharing sample stolen data and threatening to leak more online unless he was paid '500k USD in the form of cryptocurrency.' Defendant stated, '[i]n the event of [Co-Conspirator-2's] arrest I was to takeover negotiations.' DOJ Plea Agreement Document The department said on Tuesday, Wagenius pleaded guilty to the following charges: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Extortion in relation to computer fraud Aggravated identity theft. Tri-agency traffic enforcement targets excessive speeding on I-565 He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a maximum penalty of five years in prison for extortion in relation to computer fraud, and a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other prison time for aggravated identity theft. Wagenius was first indicted on December 18, 2024, in Seattle, Washington, federal court documents say. The plea agreement, obtained by News 19, says Wagenius waived his right to be charged by indictment as well as waived his right to have the incident tried before a jury. As a result of these waivers, he agreed to enter a guilty plea. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
a day ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Kevin Spacey urges release of 'Epstein files,' despite FBI probe debunking 'client list'
The Trump administration may be ready to move on from the political specter of Jeffrey Epstein, but Kevin Spacey isn't. The Oscar-winning actor, whose Hollywood prestige has diminished in recent years thanks to a spate of legal troubles, weighed in on a recent probe by the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI on Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, and his alleged network of high-profile associates. The FBI concluded that Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges. "Release the Epstein files. All of them," Spacey, 65, wrote in a July 15 X post. "For those of us with nothing to fear, the truth can't come soon enough. I hate to make this about me — but the media already has." Following a review of Epstein materials in the U.S. government's possession, the Justice Department and FBI concluded in a July 7 memo that there was no evidence that Epstein kept a "client list," contradicting U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's past suggestion that such a list from the disgraced businessman existed. Debunking previous conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's death, the agencies said there was no proof that Epstein blackmailed prominent people as part of his actions or that he was murdered while in custody. Additionally, the Justice Department and FBI said it found no evidence to prompt an investigation into uncharged third parties in the Epstein case. Prior to the "client list" probe, Spacey was alleged to be part of a sprawling list of celebrities who had ties to Epstein and his former girlfriend and convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Spacey, whose career was derailed in 2017 following sexual assault allegations by fellow actor Anthony Rapp, has been the subject of infamy himself. In July 2023, after a series of additional assault allegations from other accusers, the "House of Cards" star was acquitted of nine charges at the end of a four-week long trial in London. A year and a half later, Spacey was sued by an unnamed individual at London's High Court for alleged sexual abuse. DOJ and FBI conclude Jeffrey Epstein had no 'client list,' died by suicide What is the Jeffrey Epstein 'client list'? Epstein's alleged "client list" stemmed from previously sealed court documents in a defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell. In the 2015 filing, Giuffre — who died in April — claimed Maxwell facilitated years of sexual abuse at the hands of Epstein that began when Giuffre was 16. The lawsuit reportedly contained the names of more than 150 "John and Jane Does" linked to Epstein. Although the suit was settled two years later for an undisclosed amount, a New York judge granted a motion filed by the Miami Herald to unseal documents from the case in December 2023. Prior to the documents' release in January 2024, Epstein's former pilot, Larry Visoski, testified in 2021 that Spacey was among a group of A-list clientele who flew on Epstein's private plane, which included other alleged passengers such as President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew and former Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell. When the court materials were unveiled, a number of celebrities and politicians were reportedly identified, according to Newsweek, NPR and Time magazine. Spacey, who was not accused of wrongdoing, was named alongside Trump, Clinton and Prince Andrew, as well as actors Bruce Willis and Cameron Diaz, pop singer Michael Jackson and former Vice President Al Gore, among others. What has Kevin Spacey said about Jeffrey Epstein? In 2002, Spacey traveled with Epstein, former President Clinton and fellow actor Chris Tucker to Africa for Clinton's advocacy tour to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, according to a New York Magazine profile of Epstein. The plane that the star-studded group traveled on — a Boeing 727 — was owned by Epstein, per the outlet. Spacey addressed his rumored ties to Epstein during court testimony for his 2022 trial with accuser Anthony Rapp, according to Law & Crime. A jury later found Spacey not guilty of molesting Rapp when he was 14 during an alleged incident in the 1980s. Kevin Spacey's legal trouble: Actor sued for alleged sexual abuse in UK case "I was now being talked about as if I knew Jeffrey Epstein, as though I was some important and powerful friend of his, and because I'd been on this airplane, I had actually flown to what was being called Pedo Island," said Spacey at the time, referring to Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Little Saint James. "While it is true that I met Jeffrey Epstein on that trip," Spacey concluded, "I never saw him again, and I have never been to any island." Contributing: Joey Garrison, Morgan Hines, Doug Stanglin, Kevin McCoy, Cybele Mayes-Osterman and David Jackson, USA TODAY; Sam Tobin and Michael Holden, Reuters
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump says he wants Texas GOP to pick up five seats in redistricting
President Trump said he hopes Texas Republicans will pick up five seats in the House from a redistricting plan they hope to enact in a special legislative session later this month. Trump told reporters that it's 'OK' if other Democratic-leaning states like California or New York also seek to redraw their congressional district lines to try to increase the number of Democratic-held seats. But he said a 'very simple redrawing' could yield five additional seats for the GOP in the Lone Star State. 'I think we'll get five,' Trump said. 'And there could be some other states we're going to get another three, or four or five in addition. Texas would be the biggest one.' His comments come after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced last week that redistricting would be included in the upcoming special legislative session. Abbott said the session would address legislation providing 'a revised congressional redistricting plan in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice.' States traditionally update their district lines once every 10 years, as provided for in the Constitution, but reporting has indicated that Trump's team has been pushing Texas to redistrict earlier as the GOP tries to defend a narrow majority in the House. Historical trends that often see the president's party lose seats in congressional midterm elections are another obstacle for the party. Democrats have slammed the move, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) accusing Abbott of 'conspiring' with Trump and the House Republicans to 'try to rig the election and disenfranchise millions of voters.' In response to Abbott's plans, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has warned that he would move for the state to take similar action to add likely Democratic-held seats if Texas moves forward with its plan.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Kevin Spacey urges full release of Epstein Files amid renewed public scrutiny
Actor Kevin Spacey has publicly called for the full release of all documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, stating that those with 'nothing to fear' should have no objection to the truth coming out. His comments follow continued social media speculation after his name, along with other high-profile celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett, appeared in unsealed Epstein-related court documents earlier this year. None of the individuals named were accused of involvement in Epstein's crimes. Release the Epstein files. All of them. For those of us with nothing to fear, the truth can't come soon enough. I hate to make this about me — but the media already has. — Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) July 15, 2025 'Release the Epstein files. All of them,' Spacey posted on X. 'For those of us with nothing to fear, the truth can't come soon enough. I hate to make this about me — but the media already has.' The actor's remarks come amid controversy sparked by recent statements from the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI, which claimed no 'Epstein client list' exists and denied allegations that Epstein was murdered in jail. The announcement contradicted earlier comments from former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who stated in February she had obtained the so-called Epstein files from the FBI, emphasizing the public's right to know. Spacey's name appeared in unsealed documents from a 2015 defamation suit involving Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. While the documents did not accuse him of any crimes, the release reignited public interest due to past sexual misconduct allegations against the Oscar-winning actor. Since 2017, Spacey has faced multiple accusations but has been cleared in several major legal cases, including a 2022 civil trial in New York and a 2023 criminal trial in the United Kingdom. Kevin Spacey admits that there were young girls on the Jeffrey Epstein flights he was on and that he feared them being on the plane might damage Bill Clinton in the future. Why is the Biden admin hiding the Epstein client list? Why have none been charged? — Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) June 11, 2024 Spacey, who has not worked in major Hollywood productions in recent years, has received support from some industry figures, including Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson, who have called for his return. In May, he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at Cannes and likened his situation to that of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, urging Hollywood to show courage in supporting him. The renewed call for transparency in the Epstein case has intensified public scrutiny, especially among Trump supporters frustrated by the lack of released evidence.
Global News
a day ago
- Politics
- Global News
Pam Bondi's DOJ urges Supreme Court to turn away Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has urged the Supreme Court to turn away an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, furthering scrutiny of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case files. Earlier this year, Maxwell submitted a plea to the Supreme Court to overturn the 2021 conviction that landed her a 20-year prison sentence after the court found she had helped recruit Epstein's victims. Maxwell argued she had immunity from a non-prosecution agreement made between Epstein and the U.S. government in 2007 regarding his other co-conspirators, and that the statute of limitations had run out. The DOJ argued in a filing Monday that Maxwell should not be covered by the agreement. According to ABC News, at the core of Maxwell's petition for Supreme Court review is her contention that the language of Epstein's non-prosecution agreement (NPA) specifically limited his protection to the Southern District of Florida, whereas the language of the co-conspirator clause should have been read to prohibit her prosecution in any federal district. Story continues below advertisement The co-conspirator clause stated that if 'Epstein successfully fulfills all of the terms and conditions of this agreement, the United States also agrees that it will not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein, including but not limited to' four of Epstein's assistants. Maxwell was not among the four women named. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit had previously denied her appeal, but Maxwell argued that the circuit courts have issued disparate orders about what kind of immunity is granted through non-prosecutorial agreements, like the one Epstein received in 2007, and asked that her case be sent to the Supreme Court. Last week, the Trump administration said documents allegedly containing the names of Epstein's high-profile clients — a 'client list' — did not exist, backtracking on previous claims that the files did, in fact, contain a list. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Bondi, despite promoting the narrative, said there were no more files related to Epstein's sex trafficking. 1:50 Jeffrey Epstein: White House stands by FBI, DOJ memo stating Epstein client list doesn't exist In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, President Donald Trump said his political adversaries were to blame for the attention on the Epstein files, referencing several unrelated conspiracy theories in the process, including the 'Stolen Election of 2020,' and complaining about 'Radical Left Lunatics,' asking why they didn't release 'The Epstein Files.' Story continues below advertisement 'If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn't they use it?' he wrote. 'One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World. Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.' 0:42 Trump can't believe people are still asking him about Jeffrey Epstein In June, at the height of Trump's public spat with Elon Musk, his former adviser and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head, the Tesla owner claimed in a post on X that Trump's name was in the Epstein files. It was Trump, during his first term in office, who ordered the arrest of Epstein for sex trafficking of minors in July 2019. The president's most recent comments marked a change of tune from days prior, when he attempted to shut down a line of questioning over Bondi's controversial report denying the existence of the list. Story continues below advertisement 'Are people still talking about this guy, this creep?' he said before Bondi could respond. The DOJ's response on Monday to the Supreme Court comes as a faction of the president's supporters are turning on the Trump administration. Influential far-right media personalities and commentators have expressed their ire in the fallout, and supporters have filmed videos burning various Trump merchandise, including their red MAGA hats. 1:44 MAGA melts down over Trump administration's Epstein reversal A statement from Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, took aim at Trump's team directly: 'I'd be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal. He's the ultimate dealmaker — and I'm sure he'd agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it.' The Supreme Court is expected to decide in the coming months whether to take up Maxwell's petition. Four or more justices will have to vote in favour of granting a petition for review. Story continues below advertisement — With files from Global News' Rachel Goodman
