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Looking at what he has charged with (1030(a)(1), 1030(a)(2))...how would those charges stick? He failed to actually access anything.

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Read the top of the very first page. It is a conspiracy charge. This is made clear on pages 4, 5, and 6 as well.

Then read 18 USC 1030(b).

Link for the lazy:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1030

Intentionally attempting to do something illegal is illegal. Not merely succeeding at it.

People who don't get that distinction might benefit by considering crimes such as Attempted Robbery and Attempted Murder. Indeed, attempting to commit a crime is pretty much always a crime in and of itself.

Imagine if would-be kidnapper got off the hook just because the intended victim ran fast enough to get away. Or a wannabe bomber who fudged the recipe.

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