Two cybersecurity professionals have been federally charged for orchestrating a classy ransomware marketing campaign focusing on a number of American companies.
Ryan Clifford Goldberg, 28, of Watkinsville, Georgia, and Kevin Tyler Martin, 31, of Roanoke, Texas, face critical prison fees associated to their alleged deployment of the infamous ALPHV BlackCat ransomware towards healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and engineering companies throughout the US.
The indictment, filed within the U.S. District Courtroom for the Southern District of Florida on October 2, 2025, reveals an organized prison operation that generated thousands and thousands in extortion funds between Could 2023 and April 2025.
ALPHV/BlackCat emerged as one of the vital damaging ransomware variants in late 2021. Attacking tons of of establishments worldwide and inflicting tens of thousands and thousands in cryptocurrency ransom funds, mixed with huge operational disruptions.
How the Assault Marketing campaign Labored
In line with federal prosecutors, the defendants and an unnamed co-conspirator adopted a structured assault methodology that turned attribute of ALPHV BlackCat operations.
The scheme concerned gaining unauthorized entry to company networks, stealing delicate information, deploying encryption malware, after which demanding substantial ransom funds.
The group exploited worry of monetary loss and information publicity to coerce funds from victims who confronted not possible selections between dropping their information or paying cryptocurrency ransoms.
The defendants allegedly infiltrated 5 main corporations, inflicting documented damages exceeding $17.5 million in ransom calls for.
Their victims included a Tampa-based medical gadget producer from which they extorted roughly $10 million, a Maryland pharmaceutical firm, a California physician’s workplace, an engineering agency additionally in California, and a Virginia-based drone producer.
Over twenty ALPHV BlackCat victims operated in Florida’s Southern District alone, highlighting the marketing campaign’s regional focus.
The federal indictment fees embrace conspiracy to intervene with interstate commerce via extortion, interference with interstate commerce by extortion, and intentional harm to protected computer systems.
Prosecutors additionally search compensation of all proceeds derived from the prison conspiracy, which means any cryptocurrency or property bought with ransom cash turn out to be topic to authorities seizure.
The costs underscore how cybersecurity experience turned towards prison functions creates devastating penalties for reputable companies and their prospects who rely on the continuity of providers and information safety.
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