High-tech hacker gets 8 Years in Prison for $3M Hacking Scheme

The final member of a roving theft ring that combined high-tech hacking and old-fashioned burglary has been sentenced to nearly eight years in federal prison for a series of identity- and payroll thefts that took more than $3 million from up to 50 local businesses.

Joshuah Allen Witt, 35, appeared in U.S. District Court on Friday, where Judge Richard A. Jones imposed just under an eight-year sentence on charges that included conspiracy, aggravated identity theft and access-device fraud.

Witt, who pleaded guilty in April, received the same prison sentence as co-conspirator John Earl Griffin, 36, who appeared before Jones earlier. Witt will get credit for the nearly two years he has been in custody since his arrest.

A third defendant, Brad Eugene Lowe, 39, received a 6 ½-year sentence.

The Seattle Times reported that all of the men will be ordered to pay restitution, which will be determined at another hearing.