Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, the administrator of the now-defunct cybercrime forum BreachForums, has been arrested by the FBI for violating parole. Fitzpatrick, known as “pompompurin,” had initially been arrested last March for his role in operating BreachForums, a notorious platform for trading stolen data. Despite pleading guilty to charges related to running the forum and possessing child pornography, he violated parole conditions by using a computer and VPN services without court-mandated monitoring software. Facing potential decades in prison, Fitzpatrick’s violations could impact his sentencing, initially scheduled for January 19.
Fitzpatrick’s arrest comes after his admission to being BreachForums’ leading administrator during his previous arrest. The cybercrime forum facilitated the trade of sensitive personal information, including payment card data, Social Security numbers, and login credentials, exposing millions of U.S. citizens to privacy risks. The plea agreement outlined Fitzpatrick’s involvement in running BreachForums from March 2022 to March 15, 2023, facilitating various cybercrimes. Specific cases mentioned in the agreement include the sale of stolen information on InfraGuard members and data stolen from Washington, D.C.’s healthcare marketplace used by Congress members. The forum’s domain was seized in June 2023.
Despite BreachForums’ domain seizure, Fitzpatrick’s parole violations suggest continued engagement in prohibited activities, posing challenges for his legal defense. His guilty plea encompassed charges related to possessing explicit content involving minors and operating the cybercrime platform. The arrest underscores the ongoing battle against cybercrime and the law enforcement efforts to hold individuals accountable for facilitating illicit online activities. Fitzpatrick’s potential sentencing and its implications for cybercrime deterrence remain key aspects of this evolving legal saga.
