N.M. man pleads guilty to cyber attacks on Minn. State Courts, sheriff's office

John Kelsey Gammell, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to cause intentional damage to a protected computer for intentionally slowing down and interrupting computer service to several different sites, court filings said.

The attacks were directed against the websites of his prior employers, business competitors, public services and companies that turned down job applications from him, court documents said. Washburn Computer Group, Dakota County Technical College and Minneapolis Community and Technical College were also among the dozens of victims targeted.

Gammell's attacks, known as distributed denial of service, sent heavy internet traffic to his victim's websites, attempting to either disable or disrupt normal traffic use, according to legal documents.

"While many (cyber crime) cases involve the loss of money or personal information, it's no less impactful when victims are denied internet services that have become vital in our personal and commercial lives," FBI Minneapolis Division Special Agent in Charge Richard Thornton said in a statement.

Gammell deployed attacks from his own computers and hired companies to launch attacks as well, according to court documents. He paid for those services with cryptocurrency to hide his identity.

Gammell also used spoofed emails, encryption, drive-cleaning tools and other efforts to avoid detection, according to his admission of guilt.

The Las Cruces, New Mexico, man, a convicted felon, additionally pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon Wednesday. He admitted to having hundreds of rounds of ammunition, multiple handguns, parts to build assault rifles and other firearm paraphernalia.

Gammell's prior criminal history in Minnesota, dating back to 1980, includes aggravated robbery, burglary, controlled substance possession and possession of a firearm.

He has not yet been sentenced.

"Cyber attacks, such as the ones perpetrated by the defendant, are serious crimes that cause real harm to real victims," U.S. Attorney Greg Booker said in a statement. "This Office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of cybercriminals that pose a substantial threat to private businesses, public entities, and civil infrastructure."

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is a media partner with Forum News Service