Albert Gonzalez has admitted to investigators that he has hacked into computer networks used by TJX, Sports Authority and BJ's Wholesale Club.  According to his attorney, Dr. Barry Roth was hired to give Gonzalez a psychiatric evaluation, which led him to question if the accused hacker had the "capacity to knowingly evaluate the wrongfulness of his actions and consciously behave lawfully and avoid crime."

"Mr. Gonzalez's offenses are at least in part correlated to an internet compulsion ... and impaired judgment," said Martin Weinberg, one of his attorneys, according to media reports.  "Fifteen years is a severe sentence that more than corresponds to the gravity of this man's offenses."

After pleading guilty, Gonzalez now faces 15 to 25 years in federal prison, but Dr. Roth's psych evaluation may lead to a lesser sentence.  His attorney is seeking a sentence closer to 15 years, but nothing has been guaranteed.  He was supposed to be sentenced on Monday, but the court will wait while prosecutors look over the medical evidence.

Another hacker, Briton Gary McKinnon, has hoped to avoid extradition to the United States on the grounds that he'd be inhumane since he too suffers from Asperger's.  Furthermore, a different hacker in Los Angeles received a 55-month sentence -- less than he potentially faced -- after it was found he suffered from Asperger's.