Marquis Hooper, a former Navy IT manager from Selma, California, was sentenced to five years and five months in prison after falsely claiming a Navy need to access a restricted database, stealing personal information belonging to more than 9,000 people with his wife, and selling the data for $160,000 in bitcoin, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
What did the former Navy IT manager do?
In August 2018, Hooper opened an account with a company that operated a database containing personally identifiable information (PII) for millions of people. Access was limited to businesses and government agencies that could demonstrate a lawful need. Hooper falsely represented that the Navy needed access to conduct background checks, the DOJ said. He then added his wife, Natasha Chalk, as a user.
Hooper and Chalk stole PII belonging to more than 9,000 people and sold it to others on the dark web for $160,000 in bitcoin, according to the DOJ’s October 16, 2023 sentencing announcement.
How did the scheme continue after the account was closed?
The database operator closed the account in December 2018 for suspected fraud. The DOJ said Hooper, Chalk, and an unindicted co-conspirator later tried to regain access. Hooper offered the co-conspirator $2,500 for each month a replacement account remained open and supplied a false contract, a fake driver’s license, and a forged letter purporting to come from a Navy commanding officer. The company did not open the new account.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
How was the stolen information used?
The DOJ said at least some purchasers used the PII in further crimes. In one example, a person used a victim’s information to create a fake driver’s license and attempted to withdraw money from that victim’s bank account. The DOJ described an attempted withdrawal; its announcement does not say that the person succeeded in taking money.
What charges did Hooper plead guilty to?
Hooper and Chalk pleaded guilty to conspiracy, according to the DOJ’s March 6, 2023 plea announcement. Hooper also pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The later sentencing announcement reports the prison term imposed on Hooper.
What sentence did Hooper receive?
On October 16, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California announced that Hooper, then 32, had been sentenced to five years and five months in prison. The DOJ said the case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations, and that Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton prosecuted it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to Natasha Chalk?
The October 2023 DOJ announcement said Chalk was scheduled for sentencing on November 20, 2023. That release reported a scheduled date, not an outcome; it does not establish what sentence, if any, she ultimately received.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
