Carriere, MS Man Pleads Guilty To Intentionally Accessing a Protected Computer In Excess Of Authorization

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that COLBI TRENT DEFIORE, age 27, a resident of Carriere, Mississippi, pleaded guilty on January 7, 2020 before United States District Judge Jay A. Zainey to a one-count indictment with intentionally accessing a protected computer in excess of authorization for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain, and in furtherance of the commission of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1030(a)(2)(C).

According to court documents, DEFIORE worked as a seasonal employee for Company A, a Virginia-based company in the technology sector that supported the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by operating contact centers to assist with, among other things, Medicare enrollment.  One of the centers, at which DEFIORE worked, was located in Bogalusa, Louisiana.  On numerous occasions, up to at least November 12, 2018, DEFIORE improperly accessed and obtained, the personal identifying information of more than 8,000 individuals by improperly accessing the healthcare.gov database.

Specifically, DEFIORE conducted “bulk searches” of the database, which he was prohibited from doing, and was able to view the personal information of healthcare.gov customers.  DEFIORE then copied the results of his searches onto a virtual clipboard and sent them to himself via email.  After work hours, DEFIORE accessed Company A’s network remotely without authorization to retrieve his work email.  DEFIORE used the personal information of at least five consumers to apply fraudulently for at least six credit cards, loans, and lines of credit for his personal benefit.

DEFIORE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.  Sentencing before Judge Zainey has been scheduled for April 7, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.