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The Dayton Daily News article discusses Charles F. Childs, an Ohio native. Last year I testified before the Ohio Senate Commerce Committe regarding a proposed spam bill. That bill was later passed into law . Among other things, the bill has opt-out requirements, requires a pre-existing business relationship, and makes it a feleny to forge headers and/or abuse open relays or proxies to send email. I would imagine that Mr. Childs, and another Ohio spammer, Tom Crowles, are in violation of some or all of the provisions of the Ohio spam law. Here's a new get rich quick scheme for you: hire an attorney and start collecting damages from these scum (up to $100 per email plus legal expenses).

Also, It is questionable at best whether these people are criminals.

Did you read the usenet post I linked to in my original message? Did you even read the article this /. story is about? According to evidence gathered by Spamhaus' Registry of Known Spammers, Thomas Cowles (the spammer quoted more than anyone else in the article) has been convicted of burglary, theft, fraud and passing bad checks. He successfully evaded the law for a while after a warrant was issued for his arrest during the burglary/theft case. When they finally caught him he was trying to hide behind some shelving in an office unit his company was renting.

I don't endorse demonizing spammers. Anyone bothering to do their homework will see that most spammers do more than enough to ruin their reputations without any outside help.

As far as what the journalist can and can't do, a journalist can choose who he will quote and to what extent he will quote them. He can also subtly influence people's opinions by using terms like "spam king" and "vigalante", or by glossing over and failing to mention important facts.

More facts on this are available at here and here. Please read them so as not to waste my time with more worthless conjecture.

Her response is here.

The spam articles are from the Associated Press and were published in the Houston Chronicle:

SPAMMED! PART I: A costly war of attrition

SPAMMED! Part II: Despite vigilantes, spammers keep e-mail flowing

SPAMMED! Part III: Anti-spam tools more aggressive but frustrated by e-mail's 'dumb' nature

Europe outlaws spam, but it keeps coming

The article complains about a "vigilante", but the woman, Karen Hoffmann, seems very reasonable: Karen Hoffman's website. She says fighting spam is her hobby.

The spam articles are from the Associated Press and were published in the Houston Chronicle:

SPAMMED! PART I: A costly war of attrition

SPAMMED! Part II: Despite vigilantes, spammers keep e-mail flowing

SPAMMED! Part III: Anti-spam tools more aggressive but frustrated by e-mail's 'dumb' nature

Europe outlaws spam, but it keeps coming

The article complains about a "vigilante", but the woman, Karen Hoffmann, seems very reasonable: Karen Hoffman's website. She says fighting spam is her hobby.

What? Spammers pretty, you say? I would have to disagree with you there :)

UPDATE: spam fighter and alleged "stalker" Karen Hoffmann responds

Timothy, I suggest adding this update to the article. This information should have been in the article in the first place. It was not hard to find.

Here is an extract from the response:

I have never followed this man, nor his wife, nor any other member of his family, and I have never been contacted by anyone in regard to these supposed stalking incidents. Unlike Mr. Cowles, I don't hide my whereabouts. If anything, Mr. Cowles was laughed out of the prosecutor's office. Were you aware of the fact that the sheriff's department had asked for my help in locating this fugitive months prior to his arrest? I can provide you with the deputy's name and phone number if you'd like to verify this information. Do you think the BCI would have notified me in advance about the raid on Cowles' office if they thought I was a stalker?

can be found at http://www.toledocybercafe.com/ivtg/ Check yer facts, reporters!

The website of the so-called "stalker" is at http://www.toledocybercafe.com/ivtg/index.htm.

Not just a spammer, this guy has been arrested for burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, writing bad checks, fraud, and probably many other offenses. Go here for info on this spammer.

Not just a spammer, this guy has been arrested for burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, writing bad checks, fraud, and probably many other offenses. Go here for info on this spammer.