Tennessee Man Gets 4-Year Sentence in Illinois for Cyberattacks

A Tennessee man has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for a series of cyberattacks on businesses, universities and governments.

Federal prosecutors in Chicago say 22-year-old Timothy Justen French of Morristown, Tennessee, was sentenced on Nov. 1. He pleaded guilty last year to one count of intentionally damaging a protected computer without authorization.

Prosecutors say he worked with a hacking group to steal confidential information, including encrypted personal information from thousands of people. Prosecutors say French’s actions exposed victims to financial fraud and identity theft.

Federal authorities say the hacking caused nearly $800,000 in damages. They say French participated in at least seven attacks with the hacking group from 2012 to 2014.