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Turning Sabu and the Effect of the Hacking Arrests

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Tue Mar 06, 2012 at 09:14:18 PM EST
Tags: Anonymous, LulzSec, Sabu (all tags)
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Anonymous is an idea, not a group. Those associated with Anonymous say they will continue despite today's arrests. They also point out that LulzSec disbanded last June. (Here's the pastebin announcement, assuming it's really by LulzSec, which it seems to be.)

As for Sabu, aka Hector Xavier Monsegur, it appears he began cooperating the night of his arrest, June 7, 2011. Fox got some firsthand information on his takedown. Now that the docket has been unsealed, I see this entry:

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge James L. Cott: Initial Appearance as to Hector Xavier Monsegur held on 6/8/2011. Deft appears with Assistant Federal Defender atty Peggy Cross. AUSA James Pastore present for the gov't. Agreed conditions of release: $50,000 PRB. Other conditions: Deft to be supervised by the FBI with respect to travel and reporting and all other issues. Deft to be released on own signature. See Sealing Order dated 6/8/11. ( Preliminary Hearing set for 7/8/2011 at 10:00 AM before Judge Unassigned.) (My emphasis)

[More...]

Translation: By the time of his first court appearance the day after his arrest, Sabu had already turned.

Normally, Pre-trial Services supervises a defendant on bond. Here, the FBI was given the job, the case was ordered sealed, and the Government agreed to a personal recognizance bond.

It took until August for all the charges in other districts against Sabu to be transferred to New York for a global settlement and plea. But all have been unsealed now. He was also charged in the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the Eastern District of Virginia and Georgia. On August 15, he pleaded guilty:

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Loretta A. Preska: Defendant present with attorney Peggy Cross and Philip Weinstein; AUSA James Pastore and Thomas Brown also present. Defendant waives indictment and proceeds by information. The agreement is acceptable to the Court..... Plea entered by Hector Xavier Mo