Cybercrime
Walking a thin line on freedom of expression..
Cyber-Extortion Results in Prison Sentence
R.H. Alexander figured that he would never be caught. He didn't use his real name, or his real email address. He logged in at computers at public libraries to send hateful emails to his targets in which he threatened to destroy their reputations with online postings, he even taunted his victims that the police would never be able to find him.
But he didn't count on the international authorities and their increasing attention to real terrorism and to the people who use the anonymity of the Internet to stalk, harass, and threaten others. Alexander was arrested at a computer terminal in a public library. When presented with the evidence collected, he pleaded guilty to six counts of extortion and admitted that his dastard online aliases were spawned to upset, to create fear, frustration and ultimately to ruin reputations online.
Although lawsuits are more common in these circumstances, the 21-month sentence handed down was more than double the 10 months recommended by the sentencing guidelines and has since set a new cybercrime standard.
flickr today
Cybercrime
Walking a thin line on freedom of expression..
Cyber-Extortion Results in Prison Sentence
R.H. Alexander figured that he would never be caught. He didn't use his real name, or his real email address. He logged in at computers at public libraries to send hateful emails to his targets in which he threatened to destroy their reputations with online postings, he even taunted his victims that the police would never be able to find him.
But he didn't count on the international authorities and their increasing attention to real terrorism and to the people who use the anonymity of the Internet to stalk, harass, and threaten others. Alexander was arrested at a computer terminal in a public library. When presented with the evidence collected, he pleaded guilty to six counts of extortion and admitted that his dastard online aliases were spawned to upset, to create fear, frustration and ultimately to ruin reputations online.
Although lawsuits are more common in these circumstances, the 21-month sentence handed down was more than double the 10 months recommended by the sentencing guidelines and has since set a new cybercrime standard.
flickr today