A federal jury has convicted a Virginia man for his role in a retaliatory cyberattack that wiped dozens of US government databases after he and his twin brother were fired from a federal contractor in 2025.
Prosecutors said the attack affected systems used by more than 45 federal agencies and deleted roughly 96 databases containing sensitive government information.
The US Department of Justice announced that 34-year-old Sohaib Akhter of Alexandria, Virginia, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, password trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Prosecutors said Akhter and his twin brother, Muneeb Akhter, abused their privileged access to federal systems hosted by their employer, a Washington, D.C.-based technology company that provides software and hosting services to dozens of government agencies.
According to court evidence, the incident began on Feb. 1, 2025, when Muneeb Akhter asked his brother for the plaintext password of a user who had submitted a complaint through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Public Portal. Sohaib allegedly queried the EEOC database to retrieve the credentials, which were then used to access the victim’s email account without authorization.
The company discovered Sohaib Akhter’s prior felony conviction and fired both brothers during a remote meeting on Feb. 18, 2025. Prosecutors said the pair immediately retaliated by accessing systems without authorization, write-protecting databases, deleting databases, and attempting to cover their tracks.
Over several hours, the brothers deleted approximately 96 databases storing government information, including systems tied to case management and Freedom of Information Act request processing. The affected systems were hosted on servers in Ashburn, Virginia.
“Sohaib Akhter harmed Americans who trusted their government with personal information and sensitive requests,” stated Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva.
Investigators also found evidence that Sohaib illegally possessed firearms despite being a convicted felon. According to prosecutors, he attempted to sell seven firearms after investigators executed a search warrant in March 2025.
The brothers previously pleaded guilty in 2015 to charges involving wire fraud and unauthorized access to government computers. Muneeb Akhter also pleaded guilty to making false statements and obstruction of justice. Sohaib served two years in prison in the earlier case.
Sohaib Akhter is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 9, 2026, and faces up to 21 years in prison.
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