Nicholas Lee Jacobsen, 22, pleaded guilty this morning in United States District Court in Los Angeles to gaining unauthorized access to a protected computer and recklessly causing at least $5,000 in loss to one or more victims, including T-Mobile, Inc., a telecommunications company.
Jacobsen, a sophisticated computer "hacker," was originally charged in a federal criminal complaint filed on October 26, 2004 for gaining unauthorized access to a TMobile computer. Jacobsen was arrested by Special Agents of the United States Secret Service on October 26, 2004 and was released on bond by a United States Magistrate Judge. On November 23, 2004, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jacobsen with two counts of computer hacking.
Earlier today, Jacobsen appeared before United States District Judge George H.
King in Los Angeles and pleaded guilty to count two of the indictment, which charged him with violating 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A)(ii), intentional access to a protected computer and recklessly causing damage. Jacobsen faces a maximum possible sentence of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for May 16, 2005.
The case against Jacobsen is the product of an investigation by the United States Secret Service. In addition, T-Mobile executives and computer specialists provided significant cooperation in the swift investigation and prosecution of Jacobsen.
CONTACT: Assistant United States Attorney Wesley L. Hsu Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section (213) 894-3045
Release No. 05-030
###