SAN ANTONIO, TX – A federal grand jury in San Antonio has indicted a Bexar County man accused of hacking into and tampering with a local public water system, allegedly threatening public safety and causing thousands of dollars in damage.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, 36-year-old Mark Anthony Cadena faces three federal charges for allegedly accessing the system’s well and pump controls on or about February 2, 2025. Prosecutors say Cadena intentionally caused at least $5,000 in damage to protected computer systems that regulate local water operations.
The indictment includes one count of tampering with a public water system, one count of attempted tampering, and one count of computer fraud and related activity. Each charge carries significant penalties if convicted — up to 20 years in prison for tampering, and up to 10 years for each of the remaining two counts.
Investigators from the FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance led the probe into the alleged intrusion, which authorities say posed a potential threat to public health and safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Mangels is handling the prosecution.
Officials have not disclosed which specific water utility was targeted or whether service disruptions occurred as a result of the alleged cyberattack.
Key details:
- Mark Anthony Cadena, 36, indicted for hacking and water system tampering
- Allegedly caused at least $5,000 in computer system damage
- Faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted
An indictment is an allegation, and Cadena remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
