LulzSec-linked Hacker "Jeremy Hammond" appears in New York federal court

The 27-year-old ,Chicago based hacker allegedly affiliated with hacker group LulzSec, Jeremy Hammond, made an appearance in a New York federal court Thursday.

Hammond faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit computer hacking, computer hacking and access device fraud. Authorities say the ex-con is known for exhorting fellow hackers to violent acts and once mocked the 9/11 attacks.

If convicted, Hammond will face up to 10 years in in prison and $250,000 in fines on the hacking-related charges and 15 years and $250,000 on the fraud charge.

“This guy is not some harmless kid living in his parents’ basement,” Foxnews quoted as a law enforcement source saying. “He’s got a history and potential for violence.”

Authorities believe Hammond was the main player in the Stratfor hack last December, in which 5 million emails were stolen and handed over to WikiLeaks. According to the federal complaint against Hammond, the attack was designed to bankrupt Stratfor, a Texas-based company that works with intelligence agencies around the world.