Community Corner
Hacker Pleads Guilty in Sony Pictures Computer Break-In
According to an indictment in the case, Culver City-based Sony's computer system was hacked last year by the group known as LulzSec.
A member of a computer hacking group pleaded guilty today in Los Angeles to federal charges of breaking into Sony Pictures Entertainment's system.
Cody Andrew Kretsinger, 24, entered pleas to one count each of conspiracy and unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Vandevelde.
Kretsinger, a Phoenix resident, faces up to 15 years in prison at sentencing July 26, the prosecutor said.
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According to an indictment in the case, Culver City-based Sony's computer system was hacked from May 27 through June 2 last year by the group known as LulzSec, or Lulz Security, whose members anonymously claimed responsibility on the group's website.
Kretsinger admitted in court Thursday to being a member of the group, Vandevelde said.
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The indictment accused Kretsinger and co-conspirators of stealing confidential information from Sony Pictures' computer systems and distributing the material on LulzSec's website before trumpeting the attack on Twitter.
The breach caused more than $600,000 in damages, according to court papers.
LulzSec is known for its affiliation with the international hacking collective known as Anonymous, which conducts cyber attacks and disseminates information stolen from individuals and companies perceived to be hostile to its interests, officials said.
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