The US Justice Department on Thursday reported that the 19-year-old Israeli hacker from Ashkelon accused of threatening Jewish institutions in the United States and around the globe, as well as forcing American planes into emergency landings, will be charged with offenses resulting in dozens of years in prison.
The young man’s parents have told Israeli media that he suffers from a medical problem as well as from autism, and that he was unable to understand the nature of his actions.
It is not yet clear whether the hacker will be extradited from Israel to the US or be tried in an Israeli court.
Earlier this month, the hacker tried to escape from the Russian Compound detention center in Jerusalem, where he was staying until his transfer back to the Nitzan detention center in Ramla. He was caught by two Border Police officers after a short chase.
The young man, who has dual Israeli and American citizenship, is sought for crimes he committed in three states: Florida, Georgia and the District of Columbia. He was arrested in Israel last year.
Last year, the Israeli State Prosecutor filed indictments against the suspect for issuing threats to Jewish centers in the United States; extorting Delaware State Senator Ernesto Lopez; harassing George E. Little, a former Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (he threatened to kidnap and murder his children); threatening and intimidating more than 2,000 institutions around the world, including airports, and schools; thousands of crimes of extortion by threats; publishing false information that caused fear and panic; computer offenses; and money laundering.
He is suspected of carrying out his crimes over the Internet, using sophisticated technological means to disguise his voice and location.
The hacker, who was a minor when he committed his crimes—which is why his identity is concealed—was captured in a collaboration between Israel Police major crimes Lahav 443 unit and the FBI, who cross-referenced data they received from intelligence services around the world to zero in on the Israeli servers the hacker was using.