In March, a slew of female celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba and Christina Aguilera were being targeted by a hacking ring being investigated by the FBI. (AP/Reuters)
The FBI has made an arrest in the alleged hacking of Hollywood celebrities' phones and the subsequent distribution of private, nude photos, federal law enforcement officials confirm to FoxNews.com.
A press conference is scheduled for 11am in Los Angeles to announce the arrest and federal charges in what has been dubbed Operation “Hackerazzi,” which involved computer intrusions targeting individuals associated with the entertainment industry.
A person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that a Florida man has been indicted on charges that he hacked into the email accounts of celebrities, including Johansson.
Several Hollywood stars, including Johansson and Vanessa Hudgens, have had private, nude photos leaked.
The FBI had been investigating the release of nude photos allegedly hacked from Johansson’s phone specifically. "The FBI is aware of the alleged [Johansson] hacking incident and is looking into it," an FBI official told FoxNews.com in September.
Private cell phone snaps the "Iron Man 2" star allegedly took of herself surfaced on the Internet. One photo showed Johansson, 26, draped in nothing but a towel, taking a photo of her exposed backside reflected in a mirror. Another photo showed the Golden Globe-winning actress in a topless self-portrait.
“Just because you’re in the spotlight, or just because you’re an actor or making films or whatever, doesn’t mean that you’re not entitled to your own personal privacy,” Johansson said after the photos were made public. “I think no matter what the context, if that is besieged in some way, it feels unjust. It feels wrong.”
Three months ago, hackers released nude photos they claimed were of Blake Lively. Lively's rep denied the photos were of the actress and threatened to sue any web site that published the photos.
Trending
Who's making headlines in television, music, movies and more from Hollywood to the Heartland.