Alexandria brothers accused of conspiring to destroy federal databases, other crimes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WRIC) -- Two Alexandria brothers are accused of conspiring to destroy nearly 100 federal databases, among other serious crimes.

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that 34-year-old brothers Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, both of Alexandria, were charged on Nov. 13 in connection with a conspiracy to delete databases used to store U.S. government information.

These alleged crimes occurred after the Akhters lost their jobs as federal contractors. The brothers are accused of plotting to harm the company they worked for, as well as federal customers, in retaliation "by accessing computers without authorization, issuing commands to prevent others from modifying the databases before deletion, deleting databases, stealing information and destroying evidence of their unlawful activities," the DOJ said.

Specifically, on or about Feb. 18, Muneeb Akhter is accused of deleting approximately 96 databases where U.S. government data is stored. Per the DOJ, many of these databases contained records and documents related to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, as well as sensitive investigative files.

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"Court documents further allege that, approximately one minute after deleting a DHS database, Muneeb Akhter asked an artificial intelligence tool how to clear system logs following the deletion of databases," the DOJ said.

Muneeb Akhter is also accused of obtaining information from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission without authorization after his firing. Further, he is accused of stealing copies of IRS information, such as the federal tax and identifying information of at least 450 people.

"The indictment also charges Sohaib Akhter with trafficking in a password that could access a computer used by and for the government of the United States," the DOJ said.

Additionally, the Akhters allegedly discussed cleaning out their house "in anticipation of a law enforcement search," the DOJ said. The agency added that their company laptops were reportedly wiped before being returned to their former employer.

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Muneeb Akhter faces six charges, including one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and to destroy records, two counts of computer fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of theft of U.S. government records.

Sojain Akhter was charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and to destroy records, as well as an additional computer fraud charge for the alleged password tracking.

“The malicious and intentional criminal actions allegedly committed by the defendants in this case undermine the ability of the United States to serve our citizens effectively and transparently,” said U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan for the Eastern District of Virginia in a Wednesday press release. “This office will hold accountable anyone who abuses the trust placed in them to safeguard vital government information, and we will prosecute those who deliberately compromise our data infrastructure.”