{"id":472764,"date":"2026-09-23T06:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T06:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/472764\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T06:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T06:10:14","slug":"pint-sized-california-hacking-genius-arrested-for-antisemitic-graffiti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/472764\/","title":{"rendered":"Pint-sized California hacking genius arrested for antisemitic graffiti"},"content":{"rendered":"

The California kid once celebrated as a pint-sized hacking whiz is now behind bars after authorities accused him of plastering South Bay homes with antisemitic <\/a>graffiti.<\/p>\n

Kristoffer Wilheim Vonhassel, 18, was booked Tuesday on 12 suspected offenses tied to vandalism in Imperial Beach, including six counts alleging property damage motivated by civil-rights violations<\/a>, according to the San Diego County Sheriff\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n

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Vonhassel, 18, was booked Tuesday on 12 suspected offenses tied to vandalism in Imperial Beach. The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images<\/p>\n

But his parents are fighting the allegations, denying any wrongdoing by their son and saying neither he nor they harbor hateful or antisemitic beliefs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be fighting this case,\u201d his mother said in a phone interview Tuesday evening with the San Diego Union-Tribune<\/a>. <\/p>\n

That childhood episode made Vonhassel an international curiosity. Future Publishing via Getty Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

She provided only her first name and asked not to be named, citing concerns that the entire family could be targeted because of the allegations against her son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re concerned how this will impact his future,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

An aerial view shows Imperial Beach, California, with Tijuana, Mexico, in the distance. Jacob \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

The parents said they had not yet hired an attorney to represent their son.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s never gotten in trouble like this before,\u201d von Hassel\u2019s father said. \u201cJust look what he did with Microsoft when he was 5.\u201d<\/p>\n

Microsoft subsequently recognized the young Vonhassel as a \u201cSecurity Researcher.\u201d CNN<\/p>\n

That childhood episode made Vonhassel an international curiosity.<\/p>\n

At just the age of 5, he discovered a way around a password barrier on his father\u2019s Xbox One after his parents noticed him accessing his father\u2019s Xbox Live account and playing games he was not supposed to play.<\/p>\n

Vonhassel was arrested at about 3 a.m. Tuesday on an access road where the more recent vandalism occurred. NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n

When his father, Robert Davies, asked how he had managed it, the boy demonstrated that entering an incorrect password led to another verification screen \u2014 where he entered several spaces and pressed enter, gaining access.<\/p>\n

Microsoft subsequently recognized the young Vonhassel as a \u201cSecurity Researcher\u201d and rewarded him with four games, a one-year Xbox Live subscription and $50.<\/p>\n

CNN dubbed him a \u201cboy genius.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Six days later, similar hate-oriented tagging appeared in an alley behind the Elm Avenue residence, officials said. CNN<\/p>\n

More than a decade later, authorities say surveillance footage helped identify Vonhassel as the suspected perpetrator behind graffiti found on Imperial Beach homes.<\/p>\n

The markings, apparently made with a black permanent marker, were discovered Sept. 13 on Seacoast Drive and Elm Avenue.<\/p>\n

But his parents are fighting the allegations. CNN<\/p>\n

Six days later, similar hate-oriented tagging appeared in an alley behind the Elm Avenue residence, officials said.<\/p>\n

Vonhassel was arrested at about 3 a.m. Tuesday on an access road where the more recent vandalism occurred.<\/p>\n

At the time of his arrest, he \u201cwas found in possession of a hand-held electronic device capable of interacting with and analyzing certain wireless signals, including those used by some garage doors, gates and other access systems,\u201d according to Lt. Chris Galve.<\/p>\n

His mother later identified the device as a Flipper Zero<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Sheriff\u2019s Office maintains a zero-tolerance policy for hate- motivated crimes and remains committed to dedicating resources to protect public safety,\u201d Galve said in a press release<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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