This message is in MIME format. The first part should be readable text, while the remaining parts are likely unreadable without MIME-aware tools. Send mail to mimeat_private for more info. --------------4B95489A61A6 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=us-ascii Content-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.981113065100.22662Lat_private> Convicted hacker offline ... and may be on the run By Joseph C. Panettieri, Sm@rt Reseller November 10, 1998 5:32 PM PT URL: http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2162751,00.html Where in the world is former hacker and FBI informant Justin Tanner Petersen? Only Petersen knows for sure. Rumors are swirling on the Internet that Petersen is once again a fugitive from the law. And by all indications, the scuttlebutt appears to be true. Petersen served time between 1995 and 1997 for hacking a financial institution and electronically stealing $150,000. He also served as an FBI informant between 1991 and 1993. Ratted out Mitnick? Along the way, Petersen allegedly gathered evidence against several high-profile hackers, including Kevin Mitnick and reformed hacker and ZDTV columnist, Kevin Poulsen. More recently, Petersen was attempting to go legit as a Windows NT guru and Web consultant in Los Angeles. He even reached out to resellers in a bid to find work. But those attempts evidently weren't enough to pay Petersen's bills. The hacker fugitive Indeed, according to several reformed hackers and an attorney familiar with Petersen's legal history, Petersen has violated conditions of his parole. Several sources said Petersen now is a fugitive wanted by U.S. Marshals. "The rumors are true," said Richard Sherman, an attorney who openly questioned the FBI's use of Petersen as an informant earlier this decade. "Apparently, Justin's terms of probation were modified and he had to work. He decided to split." Details are still sketchy, but several sources said the U.S. District Court for The Central District of California issued an arrest warrant for Petersen on Sept. 30. Petersen's Web site is offline, but his URL has been redirected to another site that contains a copy of the alleged arrest warrant. "I'm gone baby" Petersen could not be reached for comment. His primary phone number was disconnected; a secondary number included a voice message from Petersen stating: "I'm gone baby. Leave a message and I'll get back to you." So far, the government isn't talking about Petersen's legal status. Petersen's run from justice "is only a rumor," said David Schindler, an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Schindler prosecuted Petersen's previous case, and currently is prosecuting Mitnick and his alleged sidekick, Lewis DePayne. Petersen has a history of running from justice. In 1993, he committed wiretapping crimes while serving as an FBI informant. When prosecutors confronted Petersen about the crimes, he fled and became a fugitive. Petersen resurfaced in 1994 when he hacked Heller Financial Inc., a commercial financial service provider in Glendale, Calif. Petersen made two bomb threats to distract Heller employees while he electronically stole $150,000. He was arrested shortly after the digital heist and served 3 years, 5 months in prison. Petersen was freed last year and by most accounts had gone legit. However, some legal experts expected him back in court to testify at the upcoming Mitnick trial, which is scheduled to kick off in January. --------------4B95489A61A6-- -o- Subscribe: mail majordomoat_private with "subscribe isn". Today's ISN Sponsor: Repent Security Incorporated [www.repsec.com]
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