Back in 2016, as a minor, Hernandez, together with his accomplice, used the so-called “phishing” to steal the data of one of the Nintendo employees. As a result, hackers gained access and published confidential information about the Switch console on the network, which at that time had not yet been announced.
After investigating the hack, FBI agents contacted Hernandez’s parents and the hacker himself, who promised to stop any further malicious activity and confirmed that he understood the consequences of future hacks.
However, from June 2018 to June 2019, Hernandez continued to hack into Nintendo servers and steal confidential information about games, consoles and developer tools. He also openly boasted of his successes on social networks and shared the vulnerabilities found with other Internet users.
In June 2019, FBI agents ransacked Hernandez’s home and confiscated many electronic devices, including computers and hard drives, on which not only thousands of confidential Nintendo files were found, but also more than a thousand pornographic images and videos involving minors.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors and defense lawyers recommend a three-year prison sentence, as well as registering Hernandez as a sex offender. In addition, the hacker has already agreed to pay Nintendo almost 260 thousand dollars.
However, the judge will pronounce the final verdict on April 21. For hacking, Hernandez faces up to 5 years in prison, and for storing child pornography – up to 20 years.
