Brian P. Johnson, Computer System Hacking, LA 2023

BATON ROUGE, LA — Brian P. Johnson, 44, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is headed to federal prison for 34 months after hacking into the computer system of a major industrial facility in a malicious bid to cripple operations. Convicted under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(a)(5)(A), Johnson admitted to launching a series of cyber intrusions targeting Georgia-Pacific’s Port Hudson mill — a 24/7 operation producing paper, tissue, and paper towels — shortly after being fired on February 14, 2014.

Johnson, once the mill’s trusted IT specialist and systems administrator, didn’t walk away quietly. Within hours of being escorted off the premises, he began remotely accessing the facility’s network. By transmitting harmful code and commands, he sabotaged critical systems, causing over $1.1 million in damages. The attack disrupted production, compromised data integrity, and forced emergency shutdowns — all orchestrated from behind a keyboard by a former insider with deep system knowledge.

Federal agents from the FBI executed a search warrant at Johnson’s home in Zachary, Louisiana, on February 27, 2014. They caught him in the act: a live virtual private network (VPN) connection to Georgia-Pacific was visible on his screen. His computer was seized, and forensic analysis confirmed multiple unauthorized intrusions dating back to the day of his termination. Logs detailed his digital footprints as he probed, penetrated, and damaged the company’s protected computers.

A federal grand jury indicted Johnson on June 25, 2015, charging him with intentional damage to protected computers between February 14 and February 27, 2014. On February 4, 2016, he pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson, admitting he had deliberately accessed the system and executed destructive commands. His plea didn’t minimize the scope — evidence proved a sustained campaign, not a single act of revenge.

At sentencing on February 15, 2017, Judge Jackson made it clear: Johnson’s actions were calculated and costly. The court ordered $1,134,828 in restitution to Georgia-Pacific, a $100 special assessment to the U.S. government, and the forfeiture of all computer equipment used in the crimes. After serving his prison term, Johnson will face three years of supervised release — a clock ticking long after his cell door opens.

U.S. Attorney Walt Green called the case a stark warning. ‘This case is a powerful reminder of the very real threat and danger that businesses and individuals face from cyberattacks and other cyber-related criminal activity,’ Green said. ‘Thanks to the victim’s quick response and cooperation with our office and the FBI — as well as the excellent work by the prosecutors and law enforcement agents assigned to this matter — we were able to stop Mr. Johnson’s malicious attacks and bring him to justice.’

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