Baton Rouge, LA | A Former Systems Administrator Sentenced to Prison for Hacking into Industrial Facility Computer System
United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that BRIAN P. JOHNSON, age 44, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been sentenced to serve thirty-four (34) months in federal prison, as a result of his conviction for hacking into the computer system of an industrial facility to disrupt and damage its operations. JOHNSON is to pay restitution to Georgia-Pacific in the amount of $1,134,828, pay a $100 special assessment to the United States, and forfeit a variety of computer devices and accessories used in connection with his crime.
One of Georgia-Pacific’s facilities is located in Port Hudson, Louisiana, and the Port Hudson mill operates 24 hours a day, making paper, tissue, and paper towels. JOHNSON worked for many years as the facility’s information technology (IT) specialist and systems administrator. On February 14, 2014, JOHNSON’s employment was terminated, and he was escorted from the mill. After being terminated, however, JOHNSON remotely accessed the plant’s computer system and intentionally transmitted code and commands which resulted in significant damage to Georgia-Pacific and its operations.