Beware Business IT Consultant Who Secretly Installs Remote Access to Network

A Connecticut information technology consultant has pleaded guilty to fraud stemming from a computer intrusion scheme that cost a small business, according to federal prosecutors.

Billie Conley, Jr., formerly of Shelton, pleaded guilty in federal court in New Haven to secretly giving himself remote access to the network of a business that hired him as a consultant. He used this access to cause network problems and steal from the firm’s bank account, according to prosecutors.

Court documents show Conley owned and operated Ridgefield Tech, LLC, an information technology consulting service. In September 2023, the owner of a funeral services business hired Conley to assist her with setting up a computer network and video surveillance system. When Conley installed the computer network, he also installed, without her authorization, software that permitted him to remotely access the network.

Shortly after Conley installed the computer network, the funeral home began experiencing service issues that required the owner to contract with Conley to resolve for a fee. Conley offered her an agreement for IT services on a monthly basis beginning in February 2024 in lieu of a “pay per service call” type of service, but she declined the service contract. Between January and September 2024, Conley remotely disabled the funeral home’s computer network on 21 separate days, which resulted in the funeral home being unable to conduct business on those days.

In August 2024, the owner hired another company to resolve her firm’s computer network issues. The new provider was unable to regain control over much of the network infrastructure that Conley had installed, and the owner had to pay it for labor and replacement equipment to recover her computer network.

An investigation revealed that, between June and August 2024, Conley unlawfully used the funeral home’s bank account to make approximately $9,070 in payments to companies he and Ridgefield Tech owed money.

Conley pleaded guilty to wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He also has to pay restitution, according David X. Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who were involved in the investigation and prosecution.

The prosecutors said Conley has been detained in state custody on unrelated charges since December 2, 2024. A sentencing date is not scheduled.