Hacker Andrew “Weev” Auernheimer, an infamous Internet troll, has been convicted of computer crimes for his role in a 2010 breach of AT&T’s customer data. But he also has a surprising number of supporters:

“In spite, or maybe because of, his online notoriety, Auernheimer is good at making real-life friends like Nick with the Buick, and the guy with the private jet—people who can help him out. In person, he exudes a downhome country charm that is so disarming you may not realize he’s been expounding very loudly about Jewish-controlled banks and armed revolution against the U.S. government—that is, until the people in the Starbucks around you start flashing you dirty looks. Auernheimer has found a strong support network in New York, comprised of a colorful group of geeks, bohemian hackers and artists who have helped to keep him off the streets by giving him odd programming jobs and letting him crash on their couches. There is some overlap with Occupy Wall Street, which Auernheimer was involved with briefly, during its height last fall. Auernheimer refers to his New York friends as the only family he has. They clearly adore him for all his peculiarities.

“‘On the one hand he can do and say some really appalling things just for the sake of attention,’ says Meredith L. Patterson, a respected computer scientist and developer. ‘But on the other hand when he’s dealing with somebody who he thinks is genuine and not hypocritical, he’s respectful and genuine towards them.’ Patterson recalls how Auernheimer comforted her after a guy ‘decided to get all grabby’ at a hacker conference this past August in Las Vegas. ‘Of all the people in the world, Weev was genuinely sympathetic and supportive,’ she says.”