Ontario Man Charged in Alleged Theft and Leak of Texas Republican Party Data in 2021

Authorities in the United States have brought charges against a 37-year-old man from Oshawa, Ontario, in connection with the theft and leak of data belonging to the Texas Republican Party. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that the man was arrested last week and is facing charges under Canadian law.

According to the Department of Justice, the accused individual illegally accessed a computer system belonging to a third-party hosting company. He allegedly used this access to tamper with and download a backup of the Texas Republican Party’s server. The man reportedly took credit for the cyberattack on social media, and a search of his electronic devices revealed that he was in possession of the stolen data.

The stolen data contained sensitive personal information and was allegedly disseminated online, where it could be downloaded by unauthorized individuals. As a result, the man has been charged with unlawfully transferring, possessing, or using means of identification in connection with illegal activities.

Officials have stated that the FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is leading the investigation into the case, with support from the Ontario Provincial Police and the Durham Regional Police Service. The collaboration between U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies underscores the seriousness of cybercrimes that transcend international borders.