Former Systems Administrator Sentenced to Prison for Hacking into Industrial Facility Computer Syste

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdla/pr/former-systems-administrator-sentenced-prison-hacking-industrial-facility-computer

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Middle District of Louisiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 16, 2017

Former Systems Administrator Sentenced to Prison for Hacking into Industrial Facility Computer System

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that BRIAN P. JOHNSON, age 44, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been sentenced to serve thirty-four (34) months in federal prison, as a result of his conviction for hacking into the computer system of an industrial facility to disrupt and damage its operations, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(a)(5)(A). Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson ordered JOHNSON to pay restitution to Georgia-Pacific in the amount of $1,134,828, pay a $100 special assessment to the United States, and forfeit a variety of computer devices and accessories used in connection with his crime. Additionally, following his release from prison, JOHNSON will be required to serve a 3-year term of supervised release.

Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of paper, pulp, tissue, packaging, building materials, and related chemicals. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and employs approximately 35,000 people in more than 200 facilities nationwide. One of Georgia-Pacific’s facilities is located in Port Hudson, Louisiana, and the Port Hudson mill operates 24 hours a day, making paper, tissue, and paper towels. JOHNSON worked for many years as the facility’s information technology (IT) specialist and systems administrator. On February 14, 2014, JOHNSON’s employment was terminated, and he was escorted from the mill. After being terminated, however, JOHNSON remotely accessed the plant’s computer system and intentionally transmitted code and commands which resulted in significant damage to Georgia-Pacific and its operations.
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On February 15, 2017, JOHNSON appeared for sentencing. After hearing arguments from both parties, Chief Judge Jackson determined that the evidence established that JOHNSON had not only committed the February 27, 2014 intrusion, but in fact a series of intrusions, beginning shortly after his termination on February 14, 2014 and continuing through the federal search. Chief Judge Jackson also determined that JOHNSON’s criminal conduct caused a loss to Georgia-Pacific of more than $1.1 million, and JOHNSON was ordered to pay restitution for the full amount of the victim’s damages. JOHNSON was ordered to surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his nearly three-year prison term next month.
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