Anonymous hacktivist’s mom faces $100k fine for hiding computer

The mother of alleged Anonymous hacktivist Barrett Brown has pleaded guilty to helping her son hide two laptop computers from federal investigators—a crime that could cost her prison time and a hefty fine.

Karen McCutchin, the mom of the 31-year-old imprisoned activist, pleaded guilty last week to a charge of obstructing the execution of a search warrant. Now McCutchin waits for sentencing, where she could be asked to pay $100,000 and spend a year in prison.

McCutchin’s trouble with the law began the same day that matters started worsening for her son, who now stands to face a maximum sentencing for his own crimes extending up to 100 years in prison.

On March 6, 2012, officers with the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided Brown’s Dallas, Texas apartment in an attempt to execute a search warrant for computers that could contain information involving two hacktivist groups — namely Anonymous and their offshoot, LulzSec — as well as records relating to his personal Twitter account and any online chats he may have participated in. Also listed on the warrant were records relating to Brown’s personal website for an online think-tank he founded called Project PM and the companies that both that group and Anonymous investigated, including government contractors InfraGard, Endgame Systems and HB Gary.

When authorities arrived at Brown’s apartment, though, he wasn’t around. He later said that he had been tipped off about the investigation and took his computers to his mother’s house nearby where he was met shortly later by investigators.

more here: http://rt.com/usa/brown-anonymous-mom-obstruction-880/