Feds release former LulzSec hacker 'Sabu'

LulzSec hacker Sabu is free.

After years of cooperating with federal authorities, former member of hacker group LulzSec Hector “Sabu” Monsegur received a sentence of time served plus one year of supervised release, a New York Federal court decided today. As a result, the former hacker avoided jail time.

LulzSec was a splinter group of hackers originally associated with activist group Anonymous. Monsegur has been working with the government since 2011, when he was arrested in his home in New York City.

Monsegur assisted authorities in more than 300 hacking cases, including some major attacks on federal groups like NASA, Congress, and the armed forces, according to recently released documents. Because of his help, prosecutors were able to get a reduced sentence for Monseur.

Monseur’s sentence is far less severe than sentences served to other recently apprehended hackers. For example, Anonymous hacker Jeremy Hammond was hit with 10 years in jail plus three years of supervised release for his role in releasing emails from security firm Stratfor regarding government spying activities.