Hacking Grades a Felony

Posted under Miscellaneous,Technical by Matt on Saturday 21 June 2008 at 11:23 am (+0000)

Las Flores (CA) – 18-year-old Omar Khan should be graduating from high school this week, but instead he faces more than 38 years in prison for hacking into school computers.  School officials at the Tesoro High School in Las Flores California allege that Khan changed grades and his Advanced Placement test scores.  Khan is also alleged to have installed a remote access program onto school servers.  In all, Khan is charged with 69 felonies.

more of the article here.  Via /.

When I dealt with a computer discipline case a few years ago, we didn’t have the legal basis (nor really the desire) to prosecute as a felony criminal case.  To me, this seems a bit excessive.  Perhaps a settlement can be reached?  I mean, putting this kid away for more than twice as long as he’s been alive seems to be the wrong answer.

What do you think?

4 Comments »

  1. Comment by Grant — Saturday, 21 June 2008 @ 1:34 pm (+0000)

    wow. yeah. That does seem a tad harsh.

  2. Comment by Michelle — Saturday, 21 June 2008 @ 4:30 pm (+0000)

    I agree, but I think the punishment should be severe enough to send a clear message. Perhaps revoking his driver’s license for three years would be sufficient. He’d still be free, yet he’d have plenty of time to think about what he did.

  3. Comment by Joyce — Sunday, 22 June 2008 @ 4:30 pm (+0000)

    It seems like expulsion, without the diploma, would be a huge consequence, because he would then not get into college, which was apparently something he was concerned about. That’s a punishment that fits the crime.

  4. Comment by Michelle — Friday, 4 July 2008 @ 12:39 am (+0000)

    Hey! It’s July! Where are you at? [I know you love it when I end my sentences with prepositions. ;o)]

    And FYI I bought two books at Borders tonight; I think they’ll help with the organization of the women’s ministry. However, I think I’m supposed to start this soon, whether or not I read both books in their entirety. What’s God telling you? I’ll talk to you more Sunday.

    Happy 4th!!!!

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