Former airman arrested regarding fraud

ALAMOGORDO — A former airman was arrested Tuesday in Alamogordo in connection with computer fraud charges from his time stationed at Cannon Air Force Base.

Michael Weber, 22, of Alamogordo, was arrested at his residence there and appeared at federal court in Albuquerque the same day, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Investigators allege Weber placed a “spam bot” onto his supervisor’s government-issued cell phone on Jan. 16, which “allegedly caused the cellular phone to receive a long string of messages allegedly intended to cause damage to the cellular phone.”

He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, said the release.

Former Airman 1st Class Weber was stationed at Cannon for about 2 1/2 years and left the Air Force in late July, according to the base’s media spokesman.