UK cyber-expert pleads not guilty in US case

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Latest on the U.S. case against a British cybersecurity researcher accused of creating a malware program (all times local):

10:30 a.m.

A British cybersecurity researcher accused of creating malicious software to steal banking information has been granted computer access while his case is pending.

Marcus Hutchins pleaded not guilty on Monday during a brief hearing in Wisconsin federal court.

He and an unnamed co-defendant face charges of conspiring to commit computer fraud in the state and elsewhere. Authorities arrested the 23-year-old man Aug. 2 in the Las Vegas airport on his way home to Ilfracombe, England, after a cybersecurity convention.

The legal troubles Hutchins faces are a dramatic turnaround from the status of cybercrime-fighting hero he enjoyed four months ago when he found a "kill switch" that slowed the outbreak of WannaCry virus.

Hutchins has been granted computer access to perform work while his case is pending. It wasn't clear from Monday's brief hearing what that work would be.

A pre-trial hearing has been set for Oct. 17.

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10:15 a.m.

A British cybersecurity researcher credited with helping curb a recent worldwide ransomware attack has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing him of creating malicious software to steal banking information in 2014.

Marcus Hutchins entered the plea Monday during a hearing in Wisconsin federal court. He and an unnamed co-defendant face charges of conspiring to commit computer fraud in the state and elsewhere. Authorities arrested the 23-year-old man Aug. 2 in the Las Vegas airport on his way home to Ilfracombe, England, after a cybersecurity convention.

The legal troubles Hutchins faces are a dramatic turnaround from the status of cybercrime-fighting hero he enjoyed four months ago when he found a "kill switch" that slowed the outbreak of WannaCry virus.

The indictment says the crimes happened from July 2014 to July 2015.

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6:25 a.m.

A British cybersecurity researcher credited with helping curb a recent worldwide ransomware attack is expected in court to hear federal charges accusing him of creating malicious software to steal banking information in 2014.

Marcus Hutchins could enter a plea during Monday's hearing in Wisconsin federal court. Prosecutors have charged him and an unnamed co-defendant with conspiring to commit computer fraud in the state and elsewhere. Authorities arrested the 23-year-old man on Aug. 2 in the Las Vegas airport on his way home to Ilfracombe, England, after a cybersecurity convention.

The legal troubles Hutchins faces are a dramatic turnaround from the status of cybercrime-fighting hero he enjoyed four months ago when he found a "kill switch" that slowed the outbreak of WannaCry virus.

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