Here’s what you need to know.
A U.S. Army soldier stationed in Texas has been arrested and charged with serious crimes involving the theft and sale of confidential phone records, including those allegedly belonging to President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Cameron John Wagenius, 20, a soldier at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Killeen, Texas, faces two felony charges for unlawfully transferring private phone data. The charges were brought forward following an indictment by a Seattle grand jury earlier this month.
Wagenius, who reportedly used the online alias “Kiberphant0m,” is accused of hacking into several telecommunications companies and obtaining highly sensitive call records. According to reports, the hacker claimed to have stolen call logs from major figures like Trump and Harris and was actively attempting to sell this stolen information. In one instance, Kiberphant0m allegedly shared unverified AT&T phone records purportedly belonging to the two political figures and offered them for sale on a cybercrime forum.
While the indictment does not go into detail about the full extent of Wagenius’ cybercrimes, it is clear that his actions are part of a larger and troubling trend of government and military personnel engaging in illegal online activity. It remains unclear whether his position in the U.S. Army at Fort Cavazos played a direct role in facilitating the theft of these records, but such incidents should raise concerns about security within the armed forces and the potential for compromising national interests.
The case has garnered attention, particularly given the political figures involved, with some comparing it to other recent high-profile cyberattacks on American officials. For instance, in September, the Justice Department charged several Iranian operatives linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for hacking Trump campaign staffers and attempting to interfere with the 2020 presidential election.
Wagenius is expected to be extradited to Seattle, where his case will be handled. As authorities continue to investigate, this arrest underscores the serious national security risks posed by individuals in positions of trust within our military and government.