MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 25 (UPI) —
A Google employee working as an Internal Technology resident at Google’s Mountain View campus was arrested by the FBI this week for posing as a researcher conducting a "breast perception" study so he could get nude photos of a young University of Texas student. After receiving the requested photos, he allegedly proceeded to blackmail the student to get more photos.
The 23-year-old, Nicholas Rotundo, is charged with two counts of cyber stalking. He is also charged with felony computer intrusion for "alleged transmission of a malicious program or code to the computer of another female victim," The Smoking Gun reports.
Rotundo allegedly requested one high-resolution photo of the student’s feet, one photo of her rear, one full-body photo and a photo of her genitals. Rotundo reportedly claimed the student would receive $8,500 for her submission.
Instead, the FBI says Rotundo emailed the young woman threatening to distribute the photos on the website Pink Meth, a popular destination for revenge porn and stolen photos.
After the student went to campus police following Rotundo’s blackmail threats, the university contacted the FBI. Investigation of Rotundo’s emails allegedly turned up other possible victims. Rotundo currently faces up to 11 years in prison.