Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 2 hrs ago
Canadian Man Extradited to US in University Cryptomining Case
Two Canadian men face federal charges in New York over alleged cyberattacks on US universities.
Prosecutors say Ryan James Roach and Mathiew James Stubbings broke into university computer systems from June 2016 to December 2019.
They allegedly used university computers to mine Electroneum, a cryptocurrency, without permission.
The targets included campuses in New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee, including institutions with supercomputers.
Roach was extradited from Canada on October 28, while Stubbings’ extradition proceedings are still before Canadian courts.
The charges include conspiracy and computer intrusion and damage; each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if they are convicted.
Ryan James Roach, 35, was extradited from Canada to the United States on October 28 in a case involving alleged hacks of university computer systems.
A federal grand jury indicted Roach and Mathiew James Stubbings, 41, on charges including conspiracy, obtaining information from protected computers and intentionally damaging computers.
Prosecutors allege the men compromised systems at universities in four states from June 2016 through December 2019 and used them to mine cryptocurrency.
The indictment says they targeted institutions with supercomputers and used virtual private servers registered under fraudulent identities.
If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.
- Who
- Ryan James Roach and Mathiew James Stubbings, two Canadian men.
- What
- They were indicted over alleged university computer intrusions and cryptocurrency mining. Roach was extradited to the United States.
- When
- The alleged intrusions ran from June 2016 through December 2019. Roach was extradited on October 28, 2026.
- Where
- The affected academic institutions were in New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the men used compromised university systems to mine cryptocurrency and obtain information.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The alleged intrusions compromised systems at academic institutions in four states.
Roach was extradited from Canada to the United States.
Roach was arraigned before a detention hearing.
- Defendants
- Ryan James Roach, 35, and Mathiew James Stubbings, 41
- Extradition
- Roach was extradited from Canada on October 28, 2026
- Alleged campaign
- June 2016–December 2019
- Affected states
- New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee
- Maximum penalty
- 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count
2 sources
What people are saying
These servers transmitted malware and mining software to victim computers and stored stolen login credentials
Roach and Stubbings targeted educational institutions in the United States that had supercomputers and researched security vulnerabilities in the victim computer networks, using a variety of methods to gain access, including using a server and compromised computers from another victim to conceal their identities
Once inside a network, Roach and Stubbings used sophisticated techniques and tools to conduct reconnaissance and expand their access within the network