UK cyber security 'hero' pleads not guilty in US

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A British cybersecurity researcher credited with helping curb a recent worldwide ransomware attack pleaded not guilty on Monday to federal charges in the US accusing him of creating malicious software to steal banking information three years ago.

Marcus Hutchins entered his plea in Wisconsin federal court, where prosecutors charged him and an unnamed co-defendant with conspiring to commit computer fraud in the state and elsewhere.

Authorities arrested the 23-year-old on August 2 at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, when he was going to board a flight to his home in Ilfracombe, England. He had been in Las Vegas for a cybersecurity convention.

Hutchins (R), 23, and a co-defendant face charges of conspiring to commit computer fraud. /AFP Photo

Hutchins' attorney, Marcia Hofmann, said after Monday's brief hearing that Hutchins will fight the charges and that "when the evidence comes to light, we are confident he will be fully vindicated."

Hutchins was released after paying a 30,000 US dollars bail.

Hutchins's tweet on early Tuesday morning. /Twitter Photo

His bond has been modified so that he can stay in Los Angeles near his attorney and travel anywhere in the US, but he cannot leave the country.

Hutchins was also granted access to use a computer for work, a change from an earlier judge's order barring him from using any device with access to the Internet. His current work wasn't detailed at Monday's hearing.

The next hearing in the case was set for October 17, with an October 23 trial date, though the latter was expected to change due to the case's complexity.

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Source(s): AP