Posted on 04/30/2010 4:20:41 PM PDT by Cindy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tennessee Man Convicted of Illegally Accessing Sarah Palin’s E-mail Account and Obstruction of Justice
David C. Kernell, 22, was convicted by a federal jury in Knoxville, Tenn., today for intentionally accessing without authorization the e-mail account of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin and obstruction of justice, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney James R. Dedrick for the Eastern District of Tennessee announced.
After a week-long trial, a jury found Kernell guilty of one count of misdemeanor unauthorized access to obtain information from a computer and one count of obstruction of justice. The jury found Kernell not guilty of wire fraud. The jury could not reach a verdict on the identity theft charge and the judge declared a mistrial as to that charge.
According to evidence presented at trial, on Sept. 16, 2008, Kernell, a resident of Knoxville, obtained unauthorized access to Gov. Palin’s personal e-mail account by resetting the account password. Evidence showed that after answering a series of security questions that allowed him to reset the password and gain access to the e-mail account, Kernell read the contents of the account and made screenshots of the e-mail directory, e-mail content and other personal information. Kernell posted screenshots of the e-mails and other personal information to a public Website. Kernell also posted the new e-mail account password that he had created, thus providing access to the account by others.
Evidence at trial showed that Kernell became aware of a possible FBI investigation on Sept. 16, 2008, following the illegal entry into the e-mail account. The evidence further showed that Kernell began to delete records and documents with the intent to impede an anticipated FBI investigation.
At sentencing, Kernell faces a maximum of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for unauthorized access and 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for obstruction of justice.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Krotoski currently detailed to the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Weddle of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee. CCIPS Trial Attorney Josh Goldfoot provided significant assistance. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Knoxville field office.
"At sentencing, Kernell faces a maximum of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for unauthorized access and 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for obstruction of justice."
He'll be laughing and chortling when he finds out why so many young buck prisoners end up with their front teeth busted out by older prisoners.
World's a big laugh for these guys Fur Shur.
When will people learn that it's not the crime, it's the cover-up that really stings. If he just would have waited for them to come and get him, he would have gotten a slap on wrist - probably just 6 mos informal probation and a $1K fine and a misdemeanor conviction.
Instead, he's now a convicted felon because he tried to cover it up.
I don’t want to see him do jail time or pay money.
Just cut off his hands.
I HATE hackers, especially MOONBAT hackers. I would have paid money to see him frantically deleting files from his computer to try to hide his stinking liberal trail.
I hope he gets some jail time so he has time to think about his crime.
The Hacker Case Verdict Today (at 12:27pm)
My family and I are thankful that the jury thoroughly and carefully weighed the evidence and issued a just verdict. Besides the obvious invasion of privacy and security concerns surrounding this issue, many of us are concerned about the integrity of our country’s political elections. America’s elections depend upon fair competition. Violating the law, or simply invading someone’s privacy for political gain, has long been repugnant to Americans’ sense of fair play. As Watergate taught us, we rightfully reject illegally breaking into candidates’ private communications for political intrigue in an attempt to derail an election.
I want to thank the public servants who worked so hard on this case, particularly the jurors who gave up precious time from their jobs and families to listen to the evidence and reach a decision.
My family and I appreciate the good people of Knoxville, Tennessee, who showed us true Southern hospitality. We can’t wait to visit again – but without having a subpoena in hand.
~ Sarah Palin ~
He’ll get less time than Nifong.
How about solitary with an endless loop video af Washewoman Shultz, Hillary and Pelousey 24/7/
OPINION:
His criminal actions may have been just one aspect of changing the course of history regarding the outcome of the Presidential election. (Emphasis - just one.)
I doubt this convicted man will any real time.
I hope I’m wrong.
He’ll probably get 6 months, a fine, and community service.
Again, I hope I’m wrong.
Woooooo Hooooooo to the latter conviction!
Lib Boy is in BIG trouble.
Post Bump and thank you for the post Clyde.
correcting post no. 11 - add word:
will FACE any real time.
He will get his degree and advanced degrees on our tab and come out as a Solar Energy Organizer for one of the many Community Organizer Groups (insert your name here...)
I’m shocked, just shocked that this morons father is a dumb-o-crat.
Shocked I tell you just shocked.
Oh wait—— never mind.
Who will claim him as his wife, sex toy or whore to be passed around?
Bet that will show everyone what a big shot he is in his own eyes.
Holder would have found a way to just "Vacate" the charges, like he did for his thugs.
To Obama and Holder, here are REAL threats. Little old ladies wearing Tea Party shirts.
In fact, these grandmas are such a threat, Obama's thugs called out the SWAT team.
Pathetic.
The judge is a Vandy grad, class of ‘69, a former JAG and he was appointed by GWB.
Sarah Palin was a vice presidential candidate and under Secret Service protection at the time. She wasn’t just Sarah Q. Citizen, and the punk intended her and the presidental campaign harm.
I will pray tonight that he does right by the jury’s verdict and by Sarah who suffered because of this smart-ass punk.
he put the entire Palin family at risk by his arrogance..
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