On Friday, the defendant in an ongoing case involving hacking into and leaking details from Nintendo's servers plead guilty to his charges. 21-year old Ryan Hernandez, otherwise known as RyanRocks, was brought up on charges of illegally obtaining information from Nintendo's servers, and for possession of child pornography. Originally, Hernandez's first offense was back in 2016--when he was still a minor at the time--where he managed to use a phishing technique in order to get ahold of a Nintendo employee's credentials to download pre-release promotional information about the Nintendo Switch, and then distribute it to the public.

His actions were reported to the FBI, who then visited Hernandez in the following year, informing him that he needed to stop the malicious and illegal behavior. Hernandez promised that he wouldn't continue to do such things, but the warnings were quickly disregarded, as in 2018, he hacked directly into Nintendo servers, once again obtaining information that he broadcast to others across the internet, even bragging publically about his exploits. In the middle of 2019, the FBI once again visited Hernandez, seizing technology involved in the hack, along with hard drives and "circumvention devices used to access pirated video games and software". It was there that not only did the FBI find the ill-gotten Nintendo files, but also hundreds of child pornography-related media.

Nevertheless, from at least June 2018 to June 2019, HERNANDEZ returned to his malicious activities, hacking into multiple Nintendo servers and stealing confidential information about various popular video games, gaming consoles, and developer tools. HERNANDEZ boasted about his hacking exploits on several online and social media platforms, such as Twitter and Discord, and leaked some of the stolen information to others. HERNANDEZ further operated an online chat forum called “Ryan’s Underground Hangout” in which he and others discussed Nintendo products and shared information about possible Nintendo network vulnerabilities, and on which he shared some of the confidential information he had stolen.

The maximum sentence for illegally hacking is only 5 years in prison, while possession of child pornography is a far greater issue, and has a maximum prison time of 20 years. Due to Hernandez's guilty plea, the lawyers involved with the case have recommended a sentence of 3 years, though this could be altered by the judge at the time of sentencing, which will take place on April 21, 2020. Additional stipulations to the case also include Hernandez agreeing to pay $259,323 in damages to Nintendo, and being forced to register as a sex offender, once he is free from prison.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors and defense attorneys, will recommend three years in prison. However, the ultimate sentence is up to the judge and could be up to the statutory maximums of 5 years in prison for computer fraud and abuse, and 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography.

HERNANDEZ has agreed to pay $259,323 in restitution to Nintendo for the remediation costs caused by his conduct. Under the terms of the plea agreement, HERNANDEZ also will be required to register as a sex offender following his conviction.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Seattle Cyber Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Masada.

Source

 

[anhminh]

Where did he put his CP? In the "homework" folder?

Either he is a sham hacker or someone plant it in because this sound unbelievable stupid.

 

[NotACat]

"child pornography-related media" lol I think this must be some japanese stuff

 

[Mollycule]

You go research, the potential for psychedelic assisted psychotherapy is huge, and America and England are going to be adopting it soon by the latest progressions being made.

Cambridge even have a program on psychedelics as medicine.

I don't blame your reaction, there's a lot of stigma around what is medicine vs just a drug.

I do not believe anyone is evil, the things people do all stem from something, nobody decides they like anime or gaming without having exposure beforehand, and for some the exposure was their parents fault, there are so many broken families, and the children who have experienced trauma adopt fucked up coping mechanisms and live with them over their shoulder, and they never get past what happened and it consumes them.

Using psychedelics one can reason with themselves, with MDMA assisted psychotherapy people completely open up in a session, and due to the drugs influence on breaking down mental barriers, someone can fully come to terms and get past something that they may never have in their lifetime.

 

[Ibcap]

To everyone suggesting that the CP was planted or it was 2d or other theories, anyone who has talked to ryan can tell you instantly that's bullshit. You couldnt have a conversation with him without him being creepy and pedoish. I have many screenshots of him saying either on his server or peoples dms about how he wants to do illegal things with kids, some kid "belongs" to him, X person is too old for him, etc. Its been well known for a long time that he is a pedo.

 

[XDel]

Sounds like Nintendo should hire him rather than attempt to wreck his life where as his actions didn't come near taking down Nintendo for good...
Hardly fair.

 

[chrisrlink]

At first I thought this was the worst possible way anyone could justify people who look at CP until I read this:

What the hell guys? This is disgusting and extremely disturbing logic. If you think looking at "some pictures" is a victimless crime then you need to reevaluate your thoughts because this isn't something that people should even have to argue about.

that explains a lot

 

[DarkFlare69]

I could have guessed that this would happen years ago. He was always very reckless and seemed to show no care for anything/anyone. I knew his programs all had viruses in them, I knew he was nothing special in terms of his hacking capabilities, and I knew his house address and other personal information about him the entire time. Maybe that's why he hated me despite never talking to me or knowing me. The funny thing is that he was never as powerful as he thought he was, or as other people thought he was. The big stunt he did with BoTW is where he really caught fame I guess. I don't see that as some kind of "brilliant hacker move" like most of the media sources that covered it were. Seriously, they are all painting it as an action movie and making it sound like it was one of the greatest heists of all time. The only reason he was able to attempt to do that stunt is because his thought process is not like the rest of us... not because he is a god-tier hacker like he was being made out to be. Normal people would consider the consequences of such an action, but never being told no when you're growing up and always having mommy and daddy's money to bail you out of any situation is probably why he decided to actually try that and why he decided to keep going with all of these reckless hacking actions. I would be willing to bet his parents are paying at least 80% of the fine, if not all of it.

The consumption of child porn is completely different, but honestly, I am not surprised at all. He deserves to rot in prison for that. I hope he gets the maximum sentence without bail. He won't even last a day.

Attention is a drug. He wants everyone to know his name, whether in a good light or bad light. It's very sad that some people are so empty inside and have nothing going for them in life that this is what they have to do just to feel special. But he will be getting zero sympathy from me, and he should not get yours either. Terrible human being.

man, american laws are really messed up. 5 years for hacking and stealing private information, but 20 years for possessing/viewing some pictures?

Are you serious right now or did you just try to make a really unfunny joke? The way you worded it could be either, but I would like to think you're joking since that would not lower my faith in humanity as much as if you were serious.

 

[DarkFlare69]

They confiscated his switches, one of which looks like a launch model. Someone should hire him. Like in the movie catch me if you can...

He obviously needs help.

One of which looks like a launch model? His parents bought him all of these on launch. Btw these are very old screenshots and not mine

 

[Beerus]

Lool this shit is wild!!!, but i am curious as to how he hacked their servers a second time? also The FBI came clutch

 

[Halvorsen]

This is where we sit back and laugh.

 

[IPLbug]

this guy got a plead deal and a fine and a nice recruitment package by the fbi hands down to get such a slap on the wrist

 

[Boured]

Don't really feel much of anything about the whole hacking thing, that's just his fault at that point.

But if you're diddlering the kiddler, have fun in the 10th circle of hell! (I am aware there are only 9)

 

[RivenMain]

View attachment 195014​

but the warnings were quickly disregarded, as in 2018, he hacked directly into Nintendo servers, once again obtaining information that he broadcast to others across the internet, even bragging publically about his exploits. In the middle of 2019, the FBI once again visited Hernandez, seizing technology involved in the hack, along with hard drives and "circumvention devices used to access pirated video games and software". It was there that not only did the FBI find the ill-gotten Nintendo files, but also hundreds of child pornography-related media.



The maximum sentence for illegally hacking is only 5 years in prison, while possession of child pornography is a far greater issue, and has a maximum prison time of 20 years. . Source

3 years is not enough, I can understand that pedos there's a good chance he can die in prison for that. He's still a danger to society. He commited identity theft, And he told the whole world without guilt. 3 years you may not even realize your in prison.

 

[Ev1l0rd]

this guy got a plead deal and a fine and a nice recruitment package by the fbi hands down to get such a slap on the wrist

Naw, he's been sued by Nintendo _many_ times before this.

This is the same guy that is responsible for a couple of 3DS SDK leaks. He only got away with those because you can't actually sue minors. He also stopped doing that publicly once he turned 18.

Thing is, he isn't a minor anymore, he's an adult, which means he can be tried for shit like this. The lenience of the deal (although, to be clear this is going to be the prosecutors recommendation, the judge can still rule higher) probably has to do with the fact that his mom is a lawyer (which saved his ass those previous times).

The CP came out of nowhere though.

 

[RivenMain]

probably has to do with the fact that his mom is a lawyer (which saved his ass those previous times)..

Sure doesn't look good on her end when she's supporting her son.Can't say it isn't the first time I heard of a Judges kid going to jail though.

 

[depaul]

I sympathize with him.I always find justice sentences very unfair.
That's the system: one man caught pays for all.

Maybe it's better if his name is replaced with initials, to protect his privacy. After all the internet is full of pervert porn. F**k that hypocrite justice they should first ban x*xx sites...

 

[DarkFlare69]

I sympathize with him.I always find justice sentences very unfair.
That's the system: one man caught pays for all.

Maybe it's better if his name is replaced by initials, to protect his privacy. After all the internet is full of pervert porn. F**k that hypocrite justice they should first ban x*xx sites...

You must not know much about him. If this was his first legal incident, I might be inclined to agree with you on the hacking part, 260k might be a little steep. However, multiple times before he has promised to stop. He continued, meanwhile spreading viruses across the community and doing plenty of other shady shit.

Child porn sites are banned and always have been. You cannot find one on the worldwide web. I don't see the hypocrisy you're talking about. If you are comparing adult porn to child porn, then your logic is flawed in so many ways, and I would recommend that you read back what you just posted.

 

[Mollycule]

TBH by what other members who knew of his actions at the time, he isn't innocent, and what he did was wrong, but it's likely he does have some form of abuse related mental health issues.

 

[Deleted User]

One of which looks like a launch model? His parents bought him all of these on launch. Btw these are very old screenshots and not mine
View attachment 195089 View attachment 195090

If his parents can afford to buy him that many switch console, then they will hire an top notch lawyer to defend him in court.

 

[DarkFlare69]

If his partents can afford to buy him that many switch console, then they will hire an top notch lawyer to defend him in court.

That actually won't be necessary because his mom is a lawyer, and that's how they're able to afford all of that. Unless they plan on hiring a different lawyer to represent him. It's probably also why is is so carefree and thinks he's invincible.