Feds Indict Ex-Michigan Assistant Matt Weiss for Hacking Private Accounts to Steal 'Intimate, Personal' Photos

Former Michigan assistant coach Matt Weiss has been indicted by federal authorities on charges of hacking into the private accounts of student athletes across the country, stealing intimate and personal photographs. The indictment, released by the United States Department of Justice, accuses Weiss of downloading personally identifiable information of over 150,000 athlete profiles from third-party databases at more than 100 colleges and universities.

Weiss is alleged to have used this information to gain unauthorized access to the social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of over 2,000 athletes, including regular university students and alumni from various institutions. The complaint also alleges that Weiss primarily targeted female college athletes, highlighting a disturbing trend of exploitation and abuse.

A Pattern of Abuse and Exploitation

The indictment reveals a chilling pattern of behavior by Weiss, who spent two seasons on the staff of former University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh as co-offensive coordinator. He also coached under John Harbaugh in Baltimore for 11 years, suggesting a long history of exposure to high-level athletics and access to sensitive information.

At least one portion of Weiss's alleged crimes occurred during his time at the University of Michigan, specifically in the team's football facilities from December 21-23, 2022. This was just days before the Wolverines departed for their College Football Playoff matchup against TCU, raising questions about whether Weiss's actions may have compromised the integrity of the game.

A Commitment to Justice

"Today's indictment of Matthew Weiss underscores the commitment and meticulous investigative efforts of our law enforcement professionals," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The FBI Detroit Cyber Task Force, in close collaboration with the University of Michigan Police Department, worked relentlessly on this case to safeguard and protect our community."

The indictment marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies working to combat cybercrime and exploitation. As Gibson noted, the case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between investigators, ensuring that those who would seek to harm others are brought to justice.