The couple, Marquis Hooper, 32, and Natasha Chalk, 39, will appear before a U.S. District Judge for sentencing on July 24. They face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. Hooper also faces an additional 20-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine for wire fraud as well as a two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft. “The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables,” the press release said. Three agencies — the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations — investigated the case.
Hooper Misused Navy Position to Gain Access to Private Database
Hooper and Chalk carried out criminal activity from August to December 2018. At the time, Hooper was a chief petty officer in the Navy, while Chalk was a reservist. The couple targeted a “private company that maintains a database containing PII for millions of people.” The press release did not name the company or provide any information about its operations. However, it said access to the database is limited to only businesses and government agencies with a “demonstrated, lawful need” for the information. Hooper opened an account with the company in August 2018 under the guise of carrying out background checks on sailors for the Navy. Hooper then added Chalk to the account, after which the couple stole the personal data of over 9,000 people and subsequently sold it for $160,000. The company closed Hooper’s account in December 2018 on the grounds of suspected fraud. However, the couple attempted to regain access to the database with the help of a co-conspirator. “Hooper created a fake contract that identified a further identity theft victim as a Navy supply officer authorizing the transaction, and when the company asked for verification, Hooper provided a fake driver’s license for the victim and a fake letter from a commanding officer approving the transaction,” the press release states. Despite their efforts, the company did not open a new account.
Stolen Data Used for Malicious Activity
There’s evidence that at least one individual, who purchased the data Hooper and Chalk sold on the dark web, used it for criminal purposes. The unidentified suspect reportedly created a fake driver’s license using the data and unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw money from a victim’s bank account. Criminals purchase stolen data from the dark web for nefarious exploits like identity theft, phishing, and social engineering scams. On Monday, Texas authorities revealed that a Chinese organized crime group deceptively obtained 3,000 driver’s licenses after purchasing victims’ data from the dark web. If you’ve fallen victim to a data breach or suspect your data has been leaked online, you can scan the internet for your stolen data. Check out our article on dark web monitoring to learn more.
