US judge releases LulzSec founder for helping FBI

A US judge has decided not to jail a hacker who helped the FBI fend off cyberattacks. The hacker should have spent at least 21 years in prison for his crimes.

The judge did not acquit the hacker, known from hacker group LulzSec, but sentenced him to seven months in prison. Because he had already been in prison for seven months, he does not have to go to prison now. The penalty is in line with the US Attorney General’s requirement.

The hacker, known by the nickname Sabu, had been guilty of conspiracy, identity theft and other criminal offenses, among other things. After the FBI caught him in 2011, he immediately confessed and began helping the FBI fend off cyber-attacks and track down other hackers who were committing crimes.

Sabu received threats after the FBI said in 2012 that he helped the agency as an informant. Due to his contribution, several hackers were arrested. A number of LulzSec leaders have already been convicted. Hacker Jeremy Hammond was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his contribution to the Stratfor hack.

LulzSec hacker Sabu, center (Photo: New York Times)