CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 27-year-old man from Charlotte, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for a cyber extortion scheme that targeted a technology company based in Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the sentencing of Cameron Curry, who was also ordered to serve one year of supervised release and pay a money judgment of $7,540.92.
Curry was convicted in March 2026 on six counts related to transmitting or willfully causing interstate communications with the intent to extort the victim company. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Curry, who had been contracted as a data analyst, misused his access to sensitive personnel and corporate data after learning that his contract would not be renewed. This access allowed him to execute his extortion scheme, which he initiated in December 2023.
From December 11, 2023, to January 24, 2024, Curry, using the alias “Loot,” sent more than 60 threatening emails to employees and executives of the D.C.-based company. He demanded $2.5 million in cryptocurrency, threatening to disclose sensitive corporate information and personally identifiable information (PII) of employees if his demands were not met. The threats included potential harm to the company’s reputation through public disclosure of the supposed breach.
The case came to a head on January 24, 2024, when the FBI executed a search warrant at Curry’s residence, where investigators seized electronic devices that confirmed his involvement in the extortion scheme. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI Washington Field Office and the FBI Charlotte Field Office.
Prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Warren, this case highlights the growing concern over cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive information in the technology sector, particularly for companies operating in Washington, D.C., a hub for many international businesses.
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