Overview
- Peter Williams, 39, pleaded guilty in Washington, D.C., to two counts of theft of trade secrets for conduct spanning 2022 to 2025.
- Prosecutors say he stole at least eight national‑security cyber‑exploit components intended for U.S. and allied government use and sold them to a reseller that markets to clients including the Russian government.
- Williams used encrypted channels, aliases, and written contracts and was promised millions in cryptocurrency, with court filings and reporting indicating he received about $1.3 million.
- The Justice Department pegs the company’s losses at more than $35 million and has moved to forfeit a D.C. home, bank and crypto funds, watches, jewelry, and designer goods.
- The Russian broker was not named by DOJ, but statements in the plea hearing point to Operation Zero; Williams remains on home confinement pending sentencing.