Hacker informant facing criminal charge

DALLAS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- A reputed computer hacker in Boston who the FBI used as an informant is guilty of obstruction of justice, authorities now allege.

FBI officials have accused Matthew Weigman, a blind 18-year-old, of threatening individuals assisting investigators in uncovering so-called "SWATers" -- people who sent police to fake hostage situations in dozens of cities, including Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, The Dallas Morning News reported Sunday.

The charge against Weigman and at least one accomplice comes two years after FBI officials made the teenager an informant after allegedly catching him trying to hack into others' phone systems. Among the systems Weigman allegedly tried to access was that of the U.S. attorney in Dallas, authorities say.

The FBI had identified the teen as a "SWATer" suspect at the time and now investigators allege he took action to prevent a fraud investigator and a witness from taking part in the growing FBI case.

The Morning News said Weigman has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charge since being arrested and now is to go on trial Dec. 8.