Michael Scheuer, Cyber Intrusions, Florida 2025

Orlando, Florida – A Winter Garden man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for conducting a series of cyber intrusions against his former employer. Michael Scheuer, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie S. Need.

Scheuer was found guilty of knowingly transmitting a program, code, or command to a protected computer and intentionally causing damage, as well as committing aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Scheuer to forfeit his computer, which was used to commit the offenses, and to pay $687,776.50 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.

Scheuer pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025. According to court documents, Scheuer conducted a series of computer intrusions or attacks directed at his former employer following his termination. These intrusions included manipulating allergen information in restaurant menus to indicate that food items were safe for customers with certain allergies, when they were not.

Scheuer also altered menu information related to wine regions to reflect locations of recent mass shootings. Additionally, Scheuer launched denial-of-service attacks designed to lock certain company employees out of their accounts. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Tampa Division Orlando Resident Agency Criminal Intrusion Cyber Squad.

It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell. “Formidable relationships with the private sector are a pillar of the FBI’s Cyber Strategy. Through the strength in our partnerships, our Cyber Task Force swiftly identified Mr. Scheuer and disrupted his ability to continue threatening the public,” said FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor.

“We are committed to safeguarding a robust Cyber Strategy to unmask malicious cyber actors to ensure justice is served,” Fodor added. Scheuer’s crimes had a significant impact on his former employer, causing damage to their reputation and trust among customers.

Scheuer’s sentence serves as a reminder that cyber crimes will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The FBI and its partners will continue to work together to protect individuals and businesses from cyber threats.

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