Wilkes-Barre Man Indicted in Cyberattack Scheme

Justin Bodnar, a 27-year-old from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is facing federal charges after a grand jury indictment tied him to a series of computer hacking incidents spanning 2012 and 2013. The 12-count indictment, returned on December 20, 2016, accuses Bodnar of unauthorized access to protected computers and intentionally damaging systems belonging to his former employer.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Bodnar allegedly breached a private computer in 2013 and extracted personal emails, which he then attempted to sell. The attempted sale marks one of the central counts in the indictment, highlighting the profit-driven motive behind the cyber intrusion.

In separate incidents dating back to 2012, Bodnar is accused of infiltrating computer systems at his former workplace. Investigators allege he didn’t just access the systems—he caused tangible damage, disrupting operations and compromising data integrity. The nature and extent of the damage are under review as part of the ongoing criminal case.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, unraveling digital footprints that prosecutors say link Bodnar directly to the hacks. The case is now in the hands of Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara, who is pursuing charges under federal cybercrime statutes.

If convicted, Bodnar faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count, along with fines and a mandatory term of supervised release. The actual sentence would be determined by the presiding judge, weighing factors such as the severity of the crimes, Bodnar’s criminal history, and federal sentencing guidelines.

As with all federal cases, Bodnar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The indictment, unsealed in Scranton, marks a critical step in a growing crackdown on cyber intrusions targeting both private individuals and corporate systems. The case remains active.

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