Ohio Man Charged With Making Internet Threats Against Pitt
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Investigators say they have arrested an Ohio man in connection with a threatening message that was posted to YouTube earlier this year against the University of Pittsburgh.
According to United States Attorney David J. Hickton, 24-year-old Alexander Waterland of Loveland, Ohio, has been charged with making Internet threats and violating the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
Waterland was arrested Wednesday morning by special agents with the FBI's Pittsburgh and Cincinnati offices.
In a press release, Hickton said: "These charges pertain to specific cyberthreats in April and May of this year that targeted the University of Pittsburgh and caused disruption in campus operations. These threats were part of the series of threats received by the University since February. The investigation is comprehensive and ongoing."
Investigators say the video, titled - "Anonymous Message to The University Of Pittsburgh" - claimed a hacking group got into Pitt's computer system and had stolen records.
It also contained a demand that Pitt's chancellor "issue a public apology for not safeguarding students' welfare or the stolen information would be publicly released," authorities said.
Investigators say a comment about the video was then posted in May, containing information about Pitt employees and terms for the apology.
Waterland was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in federal court.
No motive was given for the threats, but they came in the midst of dozens of bomb threats targeting Pitt and causing campus disruptions.
There were bomb threats written on bathroom walls and sent via email.
Hicktown would not say if the YouTube threats were connected.
The investigation continues.
Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.
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