Crime & Courts

Canadian man charged with cybercrimes that damaged state of Alaska computer

A Canadian arrested last month on cybercrime charges is also facing U.S. federal charges originating in Alaska that allege he committed cyberattacks that damaged a state computer.

Matthew Philbert, 31, of Ottawa was arrested Nov. 30 by Ontario police and is charged in the U.S. with conspiracy and fraud in connection with computer activity.

Philbert damaged a computer belonging to the state of Alaska in 2018, the U.S. charges said.

U.S. charges were filed against Philbert in September 2020 but remained sealed until Monday, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska.

The Canadian charges came from “a separate and parallel investigation” into Philbert, the statement said.

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