By Shirleen Guerra
The Center Square

Two Virginia men were arrested after federal prosecutors said they conspired to destroy government databases and steal U.S. government information while working as federal contractors.

According to the Justice Department, brothers Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, both 34 and from Alexandria, were indicted Nov. 13 for “conspiring to delete databases used to store government information.”

Prosecutors say the men accessed computers without authorization, issued commands to prevent others from modifying the databases before deletion and stole information before wiping devices.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti said in a statement the defendants “abused their positions as federal contractors to attack government databases and steal sensitive government information.”

Federal officials argue the actions jeopardized security and disrupted agencies’ ability to serve the public.

U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan said the activity described in the indictment “undermines the ability of the United States to serve our citizens effectively and transparently.” She said the office will hold accountable anyone who abuses the trust placed in them to safeguard government systems.

According to the court documents, back in February, Muneeb Akhter allegedly deleted about 96 databases containing U.S. government information, including files tied to Freedom of Information Act matters and sensitive investigative materials used by federal agencies.

The indictment says he also used artificial intelligence, asking how to clear system logs one minute after deleting the databases.

The brothers also discussed cleaning out their house ahead of a law enforcement search, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors say company laptops used by both men were wiped before being returned to the contractor.

The Justice Department also alleges that after he was fired, Muneeb Akhter obtained information from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Muneeb Akhter is also being accused of taking copies of IRS information stored on a virtual machine, such as federal tax information and identifying details of around 450 individuals.

The indictment charges Sohaib Akhter with trafficking a government password that could access a federal computer.

If convicted, Muneeb Akhter faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft count and up to 45 years on the remaining charges. If convicted, Sohaib Akhter faces up to six years in prison.