LulzSec Suspect Re-Arrested After Breaking Bail Terms

Ryan Cleary, the British teenager arrested in June of last year on suspicion of involvement with the LulzSec hacking group, is back in prison after breaching his bail conditions, the Associated Press reported on Saturday.

Cleary was re-arrested on 5 March for allegedly sending electronic messages to LulzSec leader Hector Xavier Monsegur over the Christmas period, according to Cleary’s lawyer, Karen Todner.

Asperger’s

The teenager was arrested in June 2011 by London’s Metropolitan Police and was released on bail after his mother spoke out on his behalf in court. After his arrest Cleary was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

The 19-year-old was charged specifically with involvement in the Lulzsec denial of service attack on the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), one of several attacks on “establishment” targets during Lulzsec’s 50-day campaign, which ended abruptly with the group announcing it had disbanded. Lulzsec also attacked the sites of the CIA and the US Senate.

Under his bail conditions Cleary was not permitted to access the Internet or possess any device or product allowing him to go online. He was also obliged to observe a 9am to 7pm curfew, to be electronically tagged and to leave home only in the company of one of his parents.

Cleary’s re-arrest came a day before it was reported Monsegur, known online as Sabu, had been working as an informant for the FBI.

Todner said Cleary is now being held in Chelmsford Prison. He is due to appear before a judge in May.

How well do you know Internet security? Try our quiz and find out!