Former teen hacking prodigy arrested on alleged antisemitic graffiti charges in San Diego County

Kristoffer Wilheim Vonhassel, 18, who gained international attention at age five for bypassing an Xbox password and was later recognized by Microsoft as a security researcher, has been booked on twelve alleged offenses tied to antisemitic graffiti in Imperial Beach. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office alleges he vandalized several homes with black marker on September 13 and again six days later, prompting six civil-rights-based property-damage counts among the charges.

Vonhassel’s parents assert his innocence, claim the family holds no antisemitic beliefs, and have not yet retained an attorney. Investigators say surveillance video helped identify him, and he was taken into custody around 3 a.m. on an access road near the most recent tagging site. Officers noted he carried a handheld Flipper Zero device capable of probing garage-door and gate signals. Sheriff officials reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for hate-motivated crimes and pledged continued resources to protect public safety.