ChoicePoint hacker indicted

Nigerian Oluwatunji Oluwatosin could face up to 22 years in prison if convicted of the new crimes. Prosecutors believe 1,500 people were affected by the so-called data theft with up to 150,000 others also at risk.

"The 22-count grand jury indictment unsealed today represents one of the largest cases of identity theft ever prosecuted in Los Angeles County," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley speaking to Reuters.

In March SC reported consumer data-mining company ChoicePoint had informed 35,000 Californians their data could have been compromised, as part of the new disclosure law Californian Senate Bill 1386.

Over the next month a wave of industry and privacy pressure forced the embattled company to reveal the full extent of the security breach. Eventually CEO Derek Smith apologized for his company's lack of security to a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee.

According to reports, the U.S. government is widening its search for the culprits that targeted ChoicePoint and there may soon be more arrests.