British Hacker Headed for U.S. Court

British hacker Gary McKinnon,will be extradited to the United States to face U.S. government charges of damaging 92 federal computers on which were stored national defense, security and military operations. The United States also accused McKinnon of causing a network in Washington "to shut down, resulting in a loss of internet access and email service to about 2,000 users for three days," according to vnunet.com.

The 44-year-old hacker allegedly started breaking into U.S. computer systems from his London residence in 1999, looking for information on extraterrestrials and technology that he believed the U.S. government was hiding, Tech Insider first blogged back in June.

If convicted, McKinnon could face up to 70 years in prison. American prosecutors have reportedly offered him a four-year sentence if he pleads guilty, but will press for the maximum penalty if he refuses.