A Miami-based hacker plead guilty this week for his role in orchestrating a series of massive data security breaches that bilked retailers and financial firms of tens of millions of credit and debit cards.
Albert Gonzalez, 28, plead guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiring to hack into computer networks operated by Heartland Payment Systems Inc., 7-Eleven Inc., Hannaford Brothers Co.. and other retailers. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Gonzalez could face between 17 and 25 years in prison for his role in the attacks.

The credit card heist is said to have affected more than 250 financial institutions. In September, Gonzalez plead guilty to 19 counts of conspiracy, fraud and aggravated identity theft relating to hacking into numerous major U.S. retailers including TJX Co., BJ's Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble and Sports Authority. He was charged along with two Russian hackers for the attacks. He also plead guilty to one count of conspiracy for his role in the data breach at the Dave & Buster's restaurant chain.

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