Romanian Hacker Extradited to US Admits Hacking Oregon State Network

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Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Hacking Oregon State Government Office

A Romanian national has pleaded guilty to hacking into an Oregon state government office and selling network access to potential buyers. The 45-year-old defendant, Catalin Dragomir, admitted to his role in the cybercrime scheme, which also targeted other victims across the United States.

Details of the Cybercrime Scheme

According to court documents, Dragomir gained unauthorized access to the Oregon state office’s computer network in June 2021. He then attempted to sell access to the network to a potential buyer, providing samples of personal data belonging to individuals stored on the system as proof of his control. This act of identity theft resulted in significant financial losses, with the total damage estimated at over $250,000.

Dragomir’s actions were eventually discovered, and he was arrested in Romania in November 2024.

Charges and Sentencing

Dragomir has pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining information from a protected computer and one count of aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum sentence of five years for the first charge, followed by a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years for the identity theft charge.

US Department of Justice Efforts to Combat Cybercrime

The prosecution of Dragomir is part of a larger effort by the US Department of Justice to combat cybercrime. In recent months, the DoJ has secured significant convictions, including a 30-year sentence for the operator of the Incognito Market. The DoJ’s cybercrime unit has also secured convictions for over 180 individuals and helped return over $350 million to victims since 2020.

Upcoming Sentencing

Dragomir’s sentencing is scheduled for May 26, 2026. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for international cooperation in combating cybercrime.