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WISCONSIN HACKER CHARGED WITH MILITARY BREAK-IN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - One of the founders of a hacker group called " Global Hell" was arrested and charged today in a federal complaint alleging he hacked into a protected U.S. Army computer at the Pentagon, and maliciously interfered with the communications system, the Justice Department announced.

The defendant, Chad Davis, 19, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was also know as "Mindphasr," according to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Green Bay. Davis was a founder of the hacking group also called "GH."

The complaint alleges that Davis gained illegal access to an Army web page and modified its contents. Davis is also alleged to have gained access to an unclassified Army network, removing and modifying its computer files to prevent detection.

U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Schneider said, "even though the intrusion involved an unclassified Army computer network, the intruder prevented use of the system by Army personnel. Interference with government computer systems are not just electronic vandalism, they run the risk of compromising critical information infrastructure systems."

Schneider noted that, as alleged in the complaint, the intruder was the subject of an FBI-executed search warrant earlier this year. In spite of that, it appears the defendant continued to gain unlawful access to computer networks.

The investigation which led to these charges against Davis was conducted jointly by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Klumb.

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