Twin brothers Sohaib and Muneeb, former IT staff at a federal agency, erased 96 government databases within minutes after dismissal. Their plan unfolded in Alexandria, where they wiped event logs and reinstalled operating systems with a co‑conspirator. The act left officials scrambling to recover critical data for the nation's security and public services until recovery.

On March 12, 2025, a search warrant at Sohaib’s home uncovered not only computers but also 370 rounds of .30‑caliber ammunition and seven firearms. The discovery raised questions about his prior convictions and the agency’s oversight. Authorities kept the brothers free for nine months while the investigation unfolded in the federal court until the verdict.

Muneeb later accepted a plea deal on April 15, 2026, admitting to conspiracy, password trafficking, and firearm possession. Sohaib went to trial, but a jury convicted him on May 7, 2026. The case underscores the risks of insider threats and the importance of rapid incident response protocols for all organizations handling sensitive data today now.

The indictment, released publicly, lists a range of cyber‑fraud charges that could carry up to 20 years in prison. With sentencing set for September, law enforcement will examine how the brothers leveraged insider access to erase backups, potentially compromising national security. The outcome may prompt stricter controls on data deletion in federal systems today for.