A Riverside County man appeared in court this week to face criminal charges after investigators say he hacked into a Hesperia business’ computer system and threatened to release private client data to the dark web unless a ransom was paid.
Rusty James Estrella, 39, of San Jacinto pleaded not guilty Monday to counts of computer fraud and attempted extortion, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records. He also denied two sentence-enhancing special allegations of having a prior felony conviction.
The investigation began May 26, when a business in the 17200 block of Darwin Avenue received an unnerving message, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials said.
The proprietor reported “that their website had been hacked and they were sent a message demanding $1,000 to be sent or their client’s information would be released to the dark web,” the sheriff’s department said in a written statement.
Investigators identified Estrella as a suspect and arrested him on Tuesday, June 16, while serving a warrant at his home in the 1600 block of San Jacinto Avenue in San Jacinto, according to sheriff’s officials and county jail records.
No further details were released.
At the time of his arrest, Estrella was already awaiting legal proceedings in another case in which he’s charged with misdemeanor counts of theft, mail theft and ID theft, court records show.
Bail was set at $160,000. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for July 6 in the Victorville branch of San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the Hesperia Police Department at (760) 947-1500. Tips may also be shared anonymously via the WeTip hotline at (844) 909-3096.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Alleged hacker arrested in extortion scheme targeting Hesperia business
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
