Morris Prosecutor: Arrest in Chilton Memorial Hospital Computer Theft
Published on March 02, 2018
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Pequannock Police Chief Brian Spring announce the arrest of Sergiu Jitcu, 39, of Saddle Brook, for computer equipment theft from Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequannock.
On Nov. 8, 2017, the Prosecutor's Office was contacted by the security director at Chilton Memorial Hospital/Atlantic Health Systems who reported a theft of computer equipment by Mr. Jitcu, who was an Information Technology employee at the hospital.
The Prosecutor's Specialized Crimes Division was advised that Chilton Medical Center received information from a resident of Wisconsin that he had purchased a computer hard drive on eBay from the defendant. He told authorities the computer hard drive contained personal identifying information of individuals who may have been treated at Chilton Memorial Hospital.
The Prosecutor's Office commenced an investigation into the allegation and, ultimately, executed a search warrant on the defendant's residence and motor vehicles, which resulted in the seizure of various computer equipment and additional items belonging to Chilton Memorial Hospital.
A subsequent investigation has revealed that at least one computer storage medium, which was sold on eBay by the defendant, contained data/databases with personal identifying information of patients.
On Dec. 15, Atlantic Health Systems sent notifications to patients who had been treated at Chilton Medical Center, advising them of the incident.
The defendant has been charged with the following offenses:
- One count of Computer Criminal Activity -- computer theft by taking data, database, computer storage medium or computer equipment without authorization, or in excess of the authorization, which contained personal identifying information, medical diagnosis or other medical information concerning an identifiable persons;
- One count of Computer Criminal Activity -- theft by accessing data, database, computer storage medium or computer equipment without authorization or in excess of the authorization;
- One count of Access and Disclosure of data or personal identifying information -- purposely or knowingly accessing data, database, computer storage medium or computer equipment without authorization, or in excess of the authorization, and recklessly discloses such data, database or personal identifying information; and
- One count of Theft -- taking computer equipment from Chilton Memorial Hospital
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Specialized Crimes Division, Pequannock Township Police, Saddle Brook Police, and Chilton Memorial Hospital/Atlantic Health Systems, whose efforts contributed to the investigation of this case.
Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.