Two American cybersecurity professionals have pleaded guilty to conspiring with a notorious ransomware gang to extort millions of dollars from US-based companies, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday.
Justice Department officials said Ryan Goldberg (40) of Georgia and Kevin Martin (36) of Texas admitted before a federal court in Miami to a single count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce through extortion. Both face a maximum prison term of 20 years and are scheduled to be sentenced in March 2026.
Professionals turned collaborators
Goldberg and Martin were among three individuals accused of working with the ransomware group ALPHV Blackcat, helping encrypt the computer networks of several unnamed American companies to pressure them into paying cryptocurrency ransoms.
The case has drawn significant attention because both men were established figures in the cybersecurity industry — a field meant to defend organisations from exactly such attacks. Prosecutors said their technical expertise enabled the group to carry out sophisticated intrusions and extortion attempts.
Firms distance themselves from accused
Martin previously worked for DigitalMint, which acknowledged the guilty plea and strongly condemned his actions. The company said the alleged conduct occurred without its knowledge or involvement and confirmed that it had fully cooperated with investigators throughout the probe.
Goldberg had earlier been employed by Sygnia. The firm has stated in the past that he was terminated immediately after it became aware of the allegations and clarified that Sygnia itself was not a target of the investigation.
Lawyers representing the two defendants did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Blackcat’s shadow looms large
The ALPHV Blackcat group gained global notoriety for a string of high-profile cyberattacks before disappearing last year, following a sweeping breach at UnitedHealth Group. Authorities have not disclosed the identity or current status of the third alleged conspirator linked to the case.
Cybersecurity experts say the guilty pleas highlight a disturbing trend where insider knowledge is misused for criminal gain, further complicating efforts to combat ransomware. Officials reiterated the need for vigilance, ethical accountability and closer cooperation between industry and law enforcement to counter evolving cyber threats.