Ex-Canadian government employee linked to NetWalker Ransomware crew pleads guilty to U.S. ransomware charges

On Tuesday 28^th of June 2022, 34-year-old Sebastien Vachon-Desjardins pleaded guilty in a US court to conspiring to commit computer and wire fraud, intentionally damaged a protected computer, and transmitted a demand in relation to damaging a protected computer. The former Canadian government employee has been described as “one of the most prolific NetWalker Ransomware affiliates” responsible for extorting said millions of dollars from dozens of companies worldwide.

Therefore, he also will be forfeiting $21.5 million and 21 laptops, mobile phones, gaming consoles, and other devices, according to his plea agreement.

He’s now facing up to 40 years behind bars and he’s stated he will “cooperate fully with the United States” as now American prosecutors are looking to bring the rest of the NetWalker ransomware crew to justice.  

Initially, in February, a Canadian judge sentenced him to six years and eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to five criminal charges in Ontario’s Court of Justice. But only a month later, he was extradited to the US to face charges related to his involvement with the NetWalker ransomware crew.