Joseph James O'connor

Joseph James O'Connor, also known as PlugwalkJoe, is a recognized threat actor who has been associated with several cybercrime activities. His most notable illicit operation was the July 2020 Twitter hack that resulted in the hijacking of numerous high-profile accounts, including those of Apple, Kanye West, Elon Musk, and Joe Biden. This significant breach led to the theft of approximately $794,000 worth of cryptocurrency, marking it as one of the most impactful cybercrimes of the year. O'Connor was first apprehended in Spain two years after the Twitter attack, subsequently extradited to the United States to face charges related to his cybercriminal activities. On Tuesday, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ), he pleaded guilty to his role in the 2020 Twitter scheme, among other cybercrime offenses. This admission of guilt marked a pivotal moment in the case, signifying a critical victory for law enforcement agencies battling against cybercrime. Following his plea, O'Connor, a British citizen from Liverpool, was sentenced by the Southern District of New York to five years in federal prison. The sentence was awarded a little over a month after his guilty plea, concluding a long-standing pursuit of justice for his cybercrime offenses. Despite facing potential incarceration for up to two decades, O'Connor's sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences faced by those involved in such malicious activities.