The Federal Bureau of Investigation has detained a British computer malware expert who was hailed as a hero for his work in neutralising the recent 'WannaCry' ransomware that threatened to cripple the NHS.
Marcus Hutchins, 22, has been accused by officials of conspiring in July 2014 and July 2015 to "advertise the availability of the Kronos malware on internet forums, sell the malware and profit from it," ABC Online reports.
US Marshals detained Hutchins at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas as he was preparing to fly home from "Defcon", a four-day conference where hackers, security experts and researchers gather to share information.
"He was escorted out of the airport and never made his flight," a witness told the Daily Mail.
"The indictment alleged that Hutchins 'created the Kronos malware' and the other person later sold it for $2,000 (£1,500) online," the Daily Telegraph says.
Hutchins, who was arraigned in court late yesterday afternoon local time, "asserted his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, (and) was ordered to remain detained until another hearing on Friday," The Guardian says.
Hutchins has been jointly charged with another individual, whom authorities have declined to name.