Anonymous hacktivist and Internet freedom fighter Jeremy Hammond was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in jail, plus three years supervised release, for his role in the 2011 hack of Strategic Forecasting, Inc, also known as Stratfor.
Hammond, 28, was handed the maximum term for the December 2011 hacking of Strategic Forecasting Inc, an attack his lawyers contend was driven by concern about the role of private firms in gathering intelligence domestically and abroad.
Hammond's lawyers argued their client should be sentenced to only time he had already served since his March 2012 arrest, portraying him as a political activist and whistleblower.
As part of the Stratfor attack, Hammond's lawyers said he turned over company emails to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, which has since selectively released documents revealing the firm's dealings with clients including Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Coca-Cola Co.
"As a result of the Stratfor hack, some of the dangers of the unregulated private intelligence industry are now known," Hammond said in court.
In March of 2012, Hammond was betrayed by Sabu (real name Hector Xavier Monsegur) once a leading figure in the Anonymous movement. Sabu’s betrayal led to the arrests of four Anonymous hacktivists in the U.K.: Ryan Ackroyd, also known as "kayla"; Darren Martyn, also known as "pwnsauce"; Donncha O'Cearebhail, also known as "palladium"; and Jake Davis, also known as "topiary," as well as the arrest of American hacktivist Jeremy Hammond.
In a statement Hammond said :
“The acts of civil disobedience and direct action that I am being sentenced for today are in line with the principles of community and equality that have guided my life. I hacked into dozens of high profile corporations and government institutions, understanding very clearly that what I was doing was against the law, and that my actions could land me back in federal prison. But I felt that I had an obligation to use my skills to expose and confront injustice—and to bring the truth to light.”
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