A Romanian hacker has been sentenced to prison in the United States after confessing to selling unauthorized access to an Oregon state network. This significant legal action highlights ongoing cybersecurity threats and international cooperation in tackling cybercrime.
Details of the Sentencing
The convicted individual, 45-year-old Catalin Dragomir, was arrested in Romania in November 2024. Following his extradition to the United States in January 2025, Dragomir faced charges in court. In February 2026, he pleaded guilty to extracting information from a protected computer and committing aggravated identity theft.
This week, Dragomir received a prison sentence of 4 years and 8 months. The sentencing judge considered the two months he had already served in Romanian custody before extradition. These developments were reported by The Oregonian, underscoring the serious consequences of hacking offenses.
The Network Breach and Its Impact
According to the US Justice Department, Dragomir infiltrated the network of an Oregon state government office in June 2021. He then sold access to this compromised network, among others in the United States, causing financial damage estimated at over $250,000.
The Oregonian detailed that Dragomir sold access to the Oregon network for $3,000, payable in Bitcoin. This method of payment illustrates the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking and prosecuting cybercriminals who utilize cryptocurrencies.
Broader Cybercrime Activities
Beyond the Oregon case, Dragomir admitted to selling information from at least 10 other organizations. Prosecutors characterized him as a ‘prolific’ hacker, yet Dragomir claimed he acted under the direction of another cybercriminal rather than being the primary orchestrator of the scheme.
In a related case, another Romanian citizen, 53-year-old Gavril Sandu, was recently extradited to the United States for his involvement in a cybercrime operation dating back 17 years. These cases highlight the persistent threat of international cybercrime and the collaborative efforts required to address it.
As authorities continue to track and prosecute cybercriminals, these cases serve as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and international cooperation in law enforcement.
