I'm not sure it's "the exact same thing". From published reports, Weev harvested data from 114,000 accounts and shared it with reporters. Another member of his hacking group says that the bug was shared with others before AT&T closed the hole, resulting in other accounts likely being compromised. [1]
He also previously claimed to be part of a hacking organization that brings in $10m annually, able to 'wreak havoc from anywhere". And he last encountered the feds while supposedly "in the midst of an LSD-and-methamphetamine bender". [2]
Another member of the group told the reporter the bug was shared, so either way it sounds like the group is unreliable.
The other items are indeed unrelated to the charge, but they a) prove false your claim that the cases are identical, and b) are related to the decision to charge. A lot of people evade taxes, but they actually bothered charged Al Capone.
He also previously claimed to be part of a hacking organization that brings in $10m annually, able to 'wreak havoc from anywhere". And he last encountered the feds while supposedly "in the midst of an LSD-and-methamphetamine bender". [2]
So, yeah, not exactly the same thing.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weev [2] http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/magazine/03trolls-t.html?p...