BOSTON (AP) - A Florida man who was one of 11 people indicted in
a huge retail data theft has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Twenty-five-year-old Christopher Scott of Miami pleaded guilty
Monday to conspiracy, unauthorized access to computer systems,
access device fraud and identity theft.
Prosecutors said Scott was an expert at hacking wireless
networks, and helped the group's alleged leader, Albert Gonzalez,
and others break into the computers of large retailers, including
Massachusetts-based TJX Cos., between 2003 and 2007.
Prosecutors said the group scanned Miami shopping strips from
their cars, looking for vulnerable wireless access they used to
steal more than 41 million credit and debit card numbers.
Scott faces up to 22 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Gonzalez has pleaded not guilty.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
