Morris Prosecutor: Saddle Brook Man Sentenced in Chilton Hospital Computer Theft Case
Published on October 26, 2018
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, and Pequannock Police Chief Brian Spring announce the sentencing of Sergiu Jitcu, 39, of Saddle Brook, on Computer Criminal Theft charges connected to Chilton Memorial Hospital.
Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Taylor, at a hearing in Morristown, today sentenced the defendant to non-custodial probation for a term of five (5) years with the special condition that the defendant make restitution, via monthly payments, thru the Morris County Probation Department, to Chilton Medical Center in the amount of $64,250.
Jitcu had entered entered a guilty plea on Sept. 4, 2018, to the following offenses based on the defendant's criminal activity on various dates between January 1, 2015 and November 8, 2017:
- One count of Computer Criminal Activity, that is computer theft by accessing data, data base, computer storage medium or computer equipment without authorization or in excess of the authorization, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25a, a crime of the Third degree; and
- One count of Theft, that is the taking of computer equipment from Chilton Medical Center, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a, a crime of the Third degree.
On or about Nov. 8, 2017, the Prosecutor's Office had been contacted by Chilton Medical Center Director of Security who reported a theft of computer equipment from the facility by the defendant, Mr. Jitcu. The defendant is now a former IT employee at Chilton Medical Center.
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Specialized Crimes Division was advised that Chilton received information from a resident of Wisconsin that he had purchased a computer hard drive on eBay from the defendant, and that this computer hard drive contained personal identifying information of individual(s) who may have been treated at Chilton.
The Prosecutor's Office Specialized Crimes Division commenced an investigation into the allegation and, ultimately, executed a search warrant on the defendant's residence and motor vehicles resulting in the seizure of various computer equipment and additional items belonging to Chilton Medical Center. Subsequent investigation has revealed that at least one computer storage medium, which was sold on eBay by the defendant, contained data/data bases with personal identifying information of patient(s) of Chilton Medical Center.
On or about Dec. 15, 2017, Chilton Medical Center sent notifications to patients, identified as potentially being effected by the theft, advising of the incident.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Specialized Crimes Division, Financial Crimes Unit, Pequannock Township Police Department, Saddle Brook Police Department and Chilton Medical Center whose efforts contributed to the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.