In the aftermath of the alleged PayPal hack, sixteen suspected members of the Anonymous collective were arrested by the Feds yesterday morning in various US states.
The Department of Justice, in announcing the arrests and more than 35 search warrants in the case, said the case stemmed from an alleged cyberattack on the website PayPal over its action against controversial group WikiLeaks, one of the inspirations for the hacker group Anonymous.
They are charged with various counts of conspiracy and intentional damage to a protected computer, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
16 Suspected ‘Anonymous’ Hackers Arrested in Nationwide Sweep (Fox News)