Megaupload Programmer Arrested in The U.S.

[Ernesto]

Acting on a lead from the entertainment industry, the U.S. Government shut down Megaupload early 2012.

Since then the case hasn’t progressed much. Kim Dotcom’s extradition hearing has been delayed time and time again, while most of the recent court proceedings have dealt with how the seized assets should be handled.

However, during the weeks to come the case is likely to heat up again as U.S. authorities have just arrested Andrus Nomm, one of the indicted Megaupload defendants.

The 36-year-old programmer had been living in the Netherlands awaiting his extradition hearing, but was arrested in Alexandria, Virginia yesterday.

The unusual arrest after more than three years could suggest that Nomm made a deal to testify against Dotcom and his former colleagues.

That suspicion is confirmed by Megaupload lawyer Ira Rothken, who told the NZHerald that Nomm “either agreed to come to the US or is involved in some sort of deal.”

Nomm’s arrest warrant, filed yesterday

In the indictment Nomm is described as a software programmer and Head of the Development of Megaupload’s Software Division. In 2010 he received $100,000 for his work at the now defunct file-hosting service.

Nomm is also accused of watching at least one copy of a pirated TV-show.

“On or about December 5, 2008, NOMM sent VAN DER KOLK an e-mail, which included a screenshot of NOMM’s account using Megavideo.com to watch an infringing episode of the copyrighted television show Chuck,” the indictment reads.

Megaupload lawyer Ira Rothken believes that U.S. authorities took advantage of Nomm. As an Estonian citizen living in a foreign country he was vulnerable, and running out of funds.

“Given he didn’t have anymore resources, it was expected the US would take advantage. This is to be expected where the US Department of Justice, in an experimental case, is trying to get folks scared and to testify in certain ways,” Rothken says.

“If these folks testify truthfully it would be of no benefit to the US,” he adds.

The U.S. authorities have yet to comment on the arrest and the possibility of a plea deal.

Originally Published: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 09:20:22 +0000