Teenager Indicted Accused of Computer Tampering After 911 Cyberattack

PHOENIX – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a State Grand Jury indicted 18-year-old Meetkumar Desai for allegedly carrying out a reckless cyberattack on 911 emergency call systems in Maricopa County. Desai is facing four felony counts of Computer Tampering.

On October 27, 2016, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Cybercrimes Unit arrested Desai after 4 law enforcement agencies received more than 300 hang up 911 calls between on October 24th and October 26th, 2016.  The large number of calls and the volume made by a computer malware application had the potential to shut down 911 services across Maricopa County. The 911 hang up calls were allegedly made to MCSO, Surprise PD, Chandler PD, and Avondale PD 911 emergency call centers.

Assistant Attorney General Joseph Waters is prosecuting this case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Full copy of Desai's indictment.