Posted on 06/20/2008 11:05:46 AM PDT by bamahead
A cyber-quest to improve grades resulted in a 17-page complaint and 69 felony counts against two California high school seniors probably not the type of paperwork that'll get them into the Ivy League.
The scariest number of all is probably 38- the number of years alleged cyber-hacker Omar Shahid Khan, 18, could face behind bars if convicted on all 69 charges he faces tied to alleged break-ins at Tesoro High School in Las Flores, Calif. His friend, Tanvir Singh, also 18, could face up to three years for four felony counts.
Their motive, according to prosecutors? To bulk up academic transcripts to make themselves more appealing to college admissions offices.
The series of felony counts laid out in the criminal complaint by Orange County prosecutors include burglary, identity theft and receiving stolen property. Khan was arrested Tuesday and released after a $50,000 bond was posted. He was expected in court today. Singh turned himself in on his three charges and was arraigned in court Wednesday.
Khan, who prosecutors say had already been successful entering school offices to access tests and alter grades, acknowledged that the effort would be extra risky because some classmates had performed a senior prank the night before. The students agreed to the plan that night, and attempted to steal the English exam, but were scared off by a night custodian.
Prosecutors said the two teens had to break into a guidance office, the registrar's office and the assistant principal's office in order to access the school's faculty and staff online computer network. Khan also allegedly attempted to install software that would allow them to access the information remotely.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
ping
Yes.
They probably either watched the old movie ‘War Games’ (”Would you like to play another game of chess?), or ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’.
Absolutely! Hacking is a serious threat and an example must be made. This not only threatens the security of people’s information, but costs businesses billions.
38 years should send a message, and even then its not long enough. I’d give ‘em 25 with an L.
Capital punishment. Otherwise he won’t learn nothin’.
I’m sure these guys have nothing to worry about. The jury will think that breaking and entering, stealing tests to cheat on them, etc., were all “cute” and give them a suspended sentence.
Ferris Bueller goes to jail!
Anyone who hires him deserves it. he can’t get better than an F in todays public schools? In California?
School will probably give them extra credit for being innovative; after college they’ll get big cushy jobs as “security experts.”
I doubt very much if Harold and Kumar will do any time at all. Community service. They’ll probably end up making money from this on a book or movie deal, or at least selling their story to a magazine. It always cracks me up when some reporter says a perp is “facing 99 years”. Only a small percentage even go to jail at all.
The jury doesn’t sentence. Thankfully a judge does.
Hopefully they’ll get a hanging judge who had someone fraudulently run up his credit card debt.....
"What would you maniacs like to do first?"
LOL
38 years, COULD face up to 38 years. What will probably happen is a couple years tops, and probation.
But they’re just kids....
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