Australian Gets Sentenced in US for Selling Cybersecurity Tools to Russia
Peter Williams, 39, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to two counts of trade secret theft, admitting he took eight cyber-exploit components over three years and sold them to Operation Zero, a St. Petersburg-based firm, in exchange for cryptocurrency payments worth up to $4 million.
“These incredibly powerful tools would have allowed Russia to access millions of digital devices,” said US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Loren AliKhan orders Williams to serve three years of supervised release under special conditions and to forfeit $1.3 million, cryptocurrency, and property including a house and luxury items like watches and jewelry. A restitution hearing is scheduled for May 12.
Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg states that Williams “exploited his senior role” for personal gain at the expense of his employer and the United States.
The sentencing follows actions by the Treasury and State departments, which sanctioned Operation Zero and its owner, Sergey Zelenyuk, along with associates, for acquiring and distributing the stolen tools.
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