WASHINGTON (AP) - The hacker-activist group Anonymous says it hijacked the website of the U.S. Sentencing Commission to avenge the death of Aaron Swartz, an Internet activist who committed suicide. The FBI is investigating.
The website of the commission, an independent agency of the judicial branch, was taken over early Saturday and replaced with a message warning that when Swartz killed himself two weeks ago "a line was crossed."
The hackers say they've infiltrated several government computer systems and copied secret information that they now threaten to make public.
Family and friends of Swartz, who helped create Reddit and RSS, say he killed himself after he was hounded by federal prosecutors. Officials say he helped post millions of court documents for free online and that he illegally downloaded millions of academic articles from an online clearinghouse.
The FBI's Richard McFeely, executive assistant director of the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch, said in a statement that "we were aware as soon as it happened and are handling it as a criminal investigation. We are always concerned when someone illegally accesses another person's or government agency's network."
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:45 AM EDT2013-05-18 12:45:38 GMT
A Waterville man is in the hospital this morning after an early morning home invasion. Lucas County Sheriff's deputies got the call of an home invasion in the 8900 block of S. River Road in Waterville
A Waterville township mane is dead after an early morning home invasion. Lucas County Sheriff's deputies got the call of an home invasion in the 8900 block of S. River Road in Waterville just before 6 a.m.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:12:55 GMT
$600 million dollars is up for grabs in Saturday's big Powerball drawing. It's the highest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history, and most expect it'll get even bigger by Saturday night.
$600 million dollars is up for grabs in Saturday's big Powerball drawing. It's the highest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history, and most expect it'll get even bigger by Saturday night.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-18 13:29:54 GMT
Up to this point, 2013 has been one of the calmest severe weather seasons on record. However, a slow moving strong storm system is moving through the central parts of the country this weekend. That storm
A severe weather outbreak is expected to bring tornadoes, wind and hail in the plains this weekend.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:06:39 GMT
The woman charged with shaking and injuring her infant son was back in court Friday, and angry protestors were there to greet her. Residents gathered outside the Wood County Common Pleas Court wearing
The woman charged with shaking and injuring her infant son was back in court Friday, and angry protestors were there to greet her.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:57:13 GMT
Leaders at Lucas County Children Services say the need for foster and adoptive parents across the region is great. The agency is responding to community demand by adding more information and training
Leaders at Lucas County Children Services say the need for foster and adoptive parents across the region is great. The agency is responding to community demand by adding more information and training classes for people interested in fostering or adopting.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:35:27 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine certified a summary
A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:36:58 GMT
An Adrian man, who appeared in federal court wearing a wig and women's clothing, is charged with having hundreds of pictures of child pornography. The case has many asking: Where were the pictures taken,
An Adrian man who appeared in federal court wearing a wig and women's clothing, is charged with having hundreds of pictures of child pornography. The case has many asking: Were any local children put at risk?
Friday, May 17 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:06:53 GMT
An 11 week old baby was stabbed to death in Sandusky Thursday night. Police say the suspect is the newborn's 19-year-old cousin. The community is in shock. Residents say they're sick to their stomachs
An 11-week-old baby was stabbed to death in Sandusky Thursday night. Sandusky Police say the suspect is the newborn's 19-year-old cousin Denzel Castile.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:14 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:14:50 GMT
An Ottawa County Judge has decided to reinstate Terry Camp Kruse Drivers license. She is the repeat DUI offender who killed 14 year old Ronnie Miller in 1993. Kruse served a 10-year prison sentence for
An Ottawa County judge reinstated the driver's license for Terry Camp Kruse. She is a repeat DUI offender who admitted to hitting and killing a 14-year-old while driving drunk in 1993.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:59 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:59:24 GMT
A South Toledo man appeared at Lucas County Municipal Court Friday on two misdemeanors. It all started Wednesday night when the man repeated called 9-1-1 because a neighbor's dog was barking. Timothy
Timothy Henneman was arrested for improper use of emergency services and disorderly conduct. It all started Wednesday night when the man repeated called 9-1-1 because a neighbor's dog was barking.
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