U.S. Darkode hacker pleads guilty to aiding online break-ins

By

A hacker charged with helping to break into least 77,000 computers through the online hacking forum Darkode pleaded guilty on Monday in U.S. District Court, prosecutors said.

Eric Crocker, 39, of Binghamton, New York, was among 12 people charged in July when the international hacking forum was dismantled by U.S. authorities working with law enforcement around the world.

Crocker, who went by the online moniker "Phastman," pleaded guilty to one count of violating the CAN-SPAM Act, a federal law on violations of Internet communication, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh said in a statement.

Prosecutors said Crocker used a hacking tool called Facebook Spreader to break into protected computers.

Crocker and other Darkode hackers would then sell access to affected computers to people seeking to send out commercial messages. They were periodically paid between $200 and $300 for every 10,000 active computer infections.

Crocker faces up to three years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, the statement said. Sentencing is set for Nov. 23.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh led the investigation into Darkode.

Join the Discussion
More News
Trump-Appointed Judge Orders Return Of Another Migrant Deported To El Salvador Claiming It Violates a Settlement

Detroit Uber Eats Driver Sent to El Salvador After Making a Wrong Turn While Delivering McDonald's

Joeylin

Teen Dead After Falling Through the Ceiling of After-School Facility While Exploring the Attic Unsupervised

Charles Read

Paralyzed Man Arrested Despite Ex-Girlfriend Saying He Fled Alleged Attack on Foot, Kicked in Her Door

Meteorologist Extortion_04242025_1

Virginia Weatherman Threatened to Release Sex Tape Recorded Without Victim's Knowledge: Police