CyberHappenings logo
☰
Home Browse Watchlists Experimental About

Track cybersecurity events as they unfold. Sourced timelines. Filter, sort, and browse. Fast, privacy‑respecting. No invasive ads, no tracking.

Penetration Testers Receive $600K Settlement After Wrongful Arrest

First reported
Last updated
1 unique sources, 1 articles

Summary

Hide ▲

Two penetration testers, Gary De Mercurio and Justin Wynn, have received a $600,000 settlement from Dallas County, Iowa, seven years after being wrongfully arrested while conducting a security evaluation. The incident occurred in 2019 when they were hired by the state of Iowa's Judicial Branch to test the courthouse's security systems. Despite having legal clearance, they were arrested for burglary and faced protracted legal battles. The settlement was finalized recently, providing some vindication but not full restitution for the career impacts they suffered.

Timeline

  1. 02.02.2026 23:57 1 articles · 23h ago

    Penetration Testers Receive $600K Settlement After Wrongful Arrest

    Gary De Mercurio and Justin Wynn, penetration testers, received a $600,000 settlement from Dallas County, Iowa, seven years after being wrongfully arrested while conducting a security evaluation. The incident occurred in 2019 when they were hired by the state of Iowa's Judicial Branch to test the courthouse's security systems. Despite having legal clearance, they were arrested for burglary and faced protracted legal battles. The settlement was finalized recently, providing some vindication but not full restitution for the career impacts they suffered.

    Show sources
    Open in new tab

Information Snippets

  • Gary De Mercurio and Justin Wynn were arrested on September 11, 2019, while testing the alarm system at a Dallas County, Iowa, courthouse.

    First reported: 02.02.2026 23:57
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • They had legal clearance from the state and initial approval from the police on the scene.

    First reported: 02.02.2026 23:57
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • A county sheriff ordered their arrest, leading to a night in jail and subsequent legal battles.

    First reported: 02.02.2026 23:57
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The settlement of $600,000 was finalized in February 2026, six and a half years after the incident.

    First reported: 02.02.2026 23:57
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The testers' employer, Coalfire, played a crucial role in preventing them from serving serious prison time.

    First reported: 02.02.2026 23:57
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The county prosecutor's office indicated they would still prosecute similar incidents to the fullest extent of the law.

    First reported: 02.02.2026 23:57
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The incident highlights the risks and challenges inherent in physical penetration testing, especially when law enforcement is not fully informed.

    First reported: 02.02.2026 23:57
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources