A Harrisburg man will serve at least two years in prison for recruiting a hacker to delete records of criminal debt he owes Lancaster County.

Zachary J. Landis posted a listing on Craigslist, requesting work from a hacker who could obliterate records of the more than $16,000 he owes in victim restitution, fines, and other court-related costs.

Derry Township police discovered the post and referred the case to Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman’s office. One of Stedman’s detectives then posed as a hacker who would do the work and corresponded with Landis.

Landis, 27, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lancaster County Court to felony counts of computer trespass, unlawful use of a computer, and tampering with public records.

President Judge Dennis Reinaker ordered a 2-to-4-year state-prison sentence, in accordance with a plea agreement.

Landis still owes Lancaster County that sum, which includes more than $9,000 owed to a victim in a 2008 assault case. The other cases include two separate DUI convictions.

After contact with the detective, Landis asked the detective to erase some of the money owed - just to prove he could do it - before any money was exchanged.

Detectives eventually traced the Craigslist ad and the computer involved in negotiations to Landis.

Assistant District Attorney Ande Gonzalez prosecuted the case.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us