Chicago Man Charged in Texas Firm Hacking

CHICAGO (AP) _ A Chicago man is accused of participating in an international computer hacking ring.

A 34-page complaint released by the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago accuses Jeremy Hammond of helping to hack into several company sites, including the Texas-based global intelligence analysis firm, Stratfor.

Charges against Hammond include conspiracy to commit computer hacking, which carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence. During his initial court appearance in Chicago on Tuesday, he quietly said “Yes, your honor” when asked if he understood the charges against him.

The judge ordered him transferred to New York to face the indictment there.

Hammond’s appearance comes as charges were announced in New York against a group of expert hackers who attacked governments and corporations around the globe.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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