Hacking suspect set to plead in Koch cyberattack

WICHITA, KA (AP) — A Wisconsin man accused of joining a cyberattack staged by the computer hacking group Anonymous on Wichita-based Koch Industries is due back in court.

Thirty-seven-year-old Eric J. Rosol, of Black Creek, Wis., returns to a federal courtroom Wednesday after formally notifying the judge in July of his intent to plead in the case. Such notices typically indicate a deal is in the works for reduced charges.

Rosol was indicted in March on one count each of damaging a computer and conspiracy to damage a computer.

Prosecutors allege Anonymous asked conspirators in February 2011 to undertake a cyberattack using a tool that could send a high volume of repeated requests to various Koch Industries websites. Numerous conspirators complied, and the company’s main website crashed.