Pandora Bracelets Sale a selftaught computer genius

'Internet addict' gets 20 yrs for stealing credit card data History was sentenced thursday to 20 years in prison after he apologized for leading a scheme that cost companies, banks and insurers nearly $200 million. Albert gonzalez, a onetime federal informant, pleaded guilty last year to breaking into the computer networks of major retailers, including tjx cos., BJ's Wholesale Club, Barnes Noble, OfficeMax, and the restaurant chain Dave Buster's.District judge patti saris sentenced gonzalez to the middle of the 15 to 25year range spelled out in a plea agreement gonzalez reached with prosecutors. Just before he was sentenced, the 28yearold gonzalez apologized as his mother, father and sister watched from the front row of the courtroom.His father wept softly and dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. Gonzalez said he did it not out of greed, but instead"Because of Myinability to stop Mypursuit"And"My(Internet)Addiction. " "I blame nobody but myself,"He said. He said he did not give much thought to people whose credit and debit card numbers were stolen. "I always thought that they were being made whole by their financial institutions,"He said.They said gonzalez and two foreign codefendants would drive past retailers with a laptop computer, tapping into those with vulnerable wireless internet signals. Gonzalez, who was known online as"Soupnazi,"Was Pandora Bracelets Sale a selftaught computer genius. He was first arrested for hacking in 2003, but was not charged because he became an informant, helping the secret service find other hackers.Attorney stephen heymann said gonzalez led a group of professional hackers and identity thieves in three states, ukraine and russia.He said the group made money by selling numbers on the black market and by going to atms and taking"Bundles of money"Out Pandora Australia of accounts. Prosecutors estimate the group stole tens of millions of debit and credit card numbers, costing corporations and banks millions when they were forced to cancel accounts, open new accounts, monitor accounts for fraud, beef up their network security and invest in public relations to ensure they wouldn't lose customers. Prosecutors asked for the maximum, 25year sentence under the plea deal, while gonzalez's attorney, martin weinberg, asked for the low end of 15 years. Weinberg said gonzalez has"Gained an understanding of the harm he's done"During the 22 months he's spent in jail since his arrest in may 2008, and has"Genuine and deep remorse. " "He recognizes what he did was wrong,"Weinberg said. Weinberg also cited a report from a defense psychiatrist who said gonzalez showed behavior consistent with asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, and internet addiction.He said that for gonzalez, a computer"Is like a drug. " Saris sentenced gonzalez to two 20year terms to run concurrently one for a massachusetts case that included the theft from framinghambased tjx cos., OfficeMax and other stores, and the other from a New York case that included Dave Buster's. Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced friday by a different judge in boston in a new jersey case involving the theft of card numbers from the scarsborough, mainebased hannaford bros.Supermarket chain, 7eleven and heartland. Saris also sentenced gonzalez to three years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.During those three years, he cannot have any access to computers, saris said. The judge set a separate hearing for june 25 to determine the amount of restitution gonzalez will be ordered to pay, although the judge acknowledged that gonzalez will not likely be able to pay the large amount she is expected to order.He also must give up his condo, car, a tiffany ring that he gave to his girlfriend and rolex watches he gave to his father and friends.