Operation Fastlink, a multinational law enforcement effort undertaken against online software piracy, has netted its first victim. Jathan Desir, 26, of Iowa City, has pleaded guilty to charges related to his role in a criminal enterprise that involved distributing content such as software, games, movies and music over the Internet.

Appearing in the U.S. District Court in Des Moines last week, Desir pleaded guilty to a three-count felony that charged him with copyright infringement and conspiracy to commit copyright infringement. Desir will face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 18, 2005.

The Department of Justice has said that Desir has been the first, but by no means the last US citizen convicted as part of the operation.