Former private first class Cameron James Wagenius, 22, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to hacking, data theft and extortion schemes that targeted at least 10 organizations, including telecom companies. Prosecutors say he used the alias "kiberphant0m" and a hacking tool he helped develop to steal call detail records and sought more than $1 million in ransom. Arrested Dec. 20, 2024, Wagenius was ordered to pay $294,978 in restitution.
Ex‑Fort Hood Soldier Sentenced to 70 Months for Telecom Hacking and Extortion
Personnel with U.S. Cyber Command work in the Integrated Cyber Center, Joint Operations Center at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland on April 2, 2021.
A former active‑duty soldier has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for a multi‑year campaign of hacking, data theft and extortion that targeted U.S. and foreign telecommunications companies.
Case Details
Cameron James Wagenius, 22, received the sentence after pleading guilty in July 2025 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, extortion related to computer fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors say Wagenius used the online alias "kiberphant0m" and helped develop a hacking tool that gave conspirators access to non‑content call detail records.
According to the Justice Department, between April 2023 and December 2024 Wagenius and co‑conspirators targeted at least 10 organizations, focusing on telecommunications firms. The group moved stolen records through the Telegram messaging platform, sold some of the data, and attempted to extort victims for more than $1 million.
"Cameron Wagenius spent more than a year and a half betraying the trust placed in him as an active duty soldier by carrying out a sweeping cybercrime campaign," said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.
Officials say that in November 2024 Wagenius posted stolen non‑content call detail records belonging to a government official and family members of another former official and demanded ransom payments to prevent further releases. He was arrested on Dec. 20, 2024, while stationed at Fort Hood (then Fort Cavazos), Texas, and was subsequently discharged from the Army. Wagenius had enlisted in 2022 and served as a private first class and a signal support systems specialist.
Investigation and Sentence
The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Army's Criminal Investigative Division. The FBI and Army said they identified and arrested Wagenius "within weeks" of the extortion threats.
- Sentence: 70 months in federal prison
- Restitution: $294,978 ordered by the court
- Charges: Wire fraud conspiracy, extortion related to computer fraud, aggravated identity theft
- Period of activity: April 2023–December 2024
This sentence and restitution reflect the severity of the offenses and the role of the defendant in developing tools and coordinating the dissemination and monetization of stolen telecom data.
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