Florida teen behind 2020's high-profile Twitter accounts pleads guilty to fraud charges

Graham Ivan Clark, who prosecutors alleged took over the Twitter accounts of Joe Biden, Apple, Elon Musk, other prominent figures last year, pled guilty to fraud charges on Tuesday, according to Tampa Bay Times. 

The plea deal aims to give Clark a three-year prison sentence and three years' probation. Prosecutors alleged at the time that Clark organized the hack of over 30 high-profile Twitter accounts to trick followers into sending him Bitcoin. 

Once an account was compromised, it was used to either request for Bitcoin donations or promise that any Bitcoin sent to the posted address would be doubled. The event took place in waves, beginning with a series of cryptocurrency exchanges, firms and personalities. 

Two others allegedly helped Clark in the attack. They netted 30.4 Bitcoin and sent 56% of the stolen coins through mixers like Chip Mixer and Wasabi Wallet to obfuscate the source of the funds. All stolen assets have since been returned to their original owners.

Clark was 17 and thus a “youthful offender” at the time of his crimes, reports Tampa Bay Times. He avoided the minimum 10-year sentence adults would have faced — but it could still apply to him if the terms of probation are breached.