Susan Atrach, who previously faced up to 10 years behind bars for accessing the 'Back to You' singer's emails, is sentenced to five years probation after striking deal with prosecutors.
- Oct 24, 2018
AceShowbiz - A woman who hacked into Selena Gomez's email account has been sentenced to five years probation after accepting a plea deal.
Earlier this year, Susan Atrach, from New Jersey, was accused of accessing the emails of the "Hands To Myself" singer and one of her associates between August 2015 and February 2016, and sharing the stolen images online.
In August, she pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of identity theft, five felony counts of accessing and using computer data to commit fraud or to control or obtain money, property or data, and one felony count of accessing and using computer data or taking supporting documentation without permission. It had been reported that she would face up to 10 years behind bars if she was found guilty.
However, on Monday, October 22, Atrach, 22, escaped jail by cutting a plea deal with prosecutors. As part of the deal, she pleaded no contest to one count each of identity theft and network intrusion, for accessing the emails of Selena's assistant Theresa Mingus, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The charges against her relating to Selena have been dropped.
In exchange, she was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to undertake 160 hours of community service. Atrach, who ran Selena fan accounts online, must also prove that she is in school or has a job.
The news comes less than two weeks after it was reported Selena, 26, is seeking treatment at a mental health facility after suffering an emotional breakdown. According to TMZ.com, she is staying at an East Coast psychiatric facility and is receiving dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). The singer, who is currently on a social media break, has yet to comment on the reports.
