Arrest in Caridi FBI Investigation

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Arrest in Caridi FBI Investigation

Posted by michael on Friday January 23, 2004 @04:24AM from the threat-to-national-security dept.

skillio writes "The FBI arrested one Russell Sprague in Illinois on Thursday in connection with the previously reported Carmine Caridi dvd screener leak investigation. Given the FBI's figure of up to 60 screeners a year provided by Caridi, and Sprague's clearly sophisticated setup, one can't help but wonder if this will prove to be the main, if not sole, source of these dvd screener leaks. Caridi has yet to be charged, but after he's admitted to supplying Sprague with screeners for the last 3-5 years, I highly doubt his innocence will remain unchallenged for very long."

24 of 482 comments (clear)

What's with the cop talk? by Fear+the+Clam · 2004-01-23 04:26 · Score: 4, Funny

The FBI arrested one Russell Sprague

Why is it that cops always arrest one of somebody? It's not like raids on human clone factories are that common.
1. Re:What's with the cop talk? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 04:35 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  If my name was Russell Sprague, I'd be relieved they were only arresting one of them. Headlines announcing mass Sprague purges would frighten and alarm me.
2. Re:What's with the cop talk? by Aumaden · 2004-01-23 05:00 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  If they said they were arresting "one CarrotTop" I would be concerned that there might be more than one of him!
3. Re:What's with the cop talk? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 05:11 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Maybe they have to be back in their caskets by the time the sun comes up?
4. Re:What's with the cop talk? by sTalking_Goat · 2004-01-23 05:15 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Which is why I get all my sleep in the afternoon.
  Lets see em try to raid me...
  
  --
  My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle...
Where are they? by stealthyburrito · 2004-01-23 04:29 · Score: 5, Funny

So, uh, where might these screeners be released on the internet?

We have a right to examine the evidence, right?
also covered on cnn.com by mcmonkey · 2004-01-23 04:29 · Score: 4, Funny

"Stealing movies is tantamount to taking money out of the pockets of everyone involved with the film industry," said United States Attorney Debra W. Yang in a statement. Kinda like how The Godfather 3 is tantamount to taking 3 hours of my life.
1. Re:also covered on cnn.com by BitchAss · 2004-01-23 05:02 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  David GOLDSTEIN! I feel better now. I've been racking my brain for the last 1/2 hour to remember his name.
  
  "David Goldstein makes movies" Like that makes me care more. Does anyone have a copy of that so I can download it and put it in front of the DivXs I download. I do want the full theatre experience.
  
  Better yet, anyone wanna make a new one with me? I have a few ideas for some...
  
  "John Smith pirates movies"
  "Yeah - I uh, met my wife on IRC while downloading 'Lord of the Rings'. She was dressed up as Arwin when we met. I knew it was love then."
  
  Y'know - it could be like those Apple switch ads.
  
  --
  Like sex? Read and write about it! Indecent Blogging
At long last ... by burgburgburg · 2004-01-23 04:30 · Score: 2, Funny

the national nightmare is over. Finally, the screeners can roam the wilderness, free and unripped.
BitTorrent by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 04:31 · Score: 1, Funny

And make sure you people set up BitTorrents for 'em. I wanted to see Win a date with tad hamilton (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335559/)
seinfeld by hashmap · 2004-01-23 04:32 · Score: 2, Funny

Reminds me of the Seinfled episode when Jerry (and then George) became bootleggers.
George: I'm a bootlegger.
Anna: You're a what?
George: I'm bootleggin' a movie, baby!
Anna: Isn't that illegal?
George: I can do hard time for this one. And community service!

Jerry: I don't care about Brody. I was up on 96th Street today, there was a kid couldn't have been more than ten years old. He was asking a street vendor if he had any other bootlegs as good as Death Blow. That's who I care about. The little kid who needs bootlegs, because his parent or guardian won't let him see the excessive violence and strong sexual content you and I take for granted.
I Feel Safer Already by MrBlackBand · 2004-01-23 04:35 · Score: 5, Funny

Thank God they arrested this guy. Now I can finally sleep at night.
FBI Agent 1: Hey, I've got some evidence here that a massive terrorist attack is going to take place at...
FBI Agent 2: Not now! We've got to stop those damn dirty stinkin' hippie copyright infringers! To the FBImobile!

--
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."
Hey! FBI! by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · 2004-01-23 04:37 · Score: 5, Funny

Can you drop the fucking make-believe-land movie crap and go after those real-life terrorists instead?

And see if you can get back my VCR and tape collection from the guy who burglarized my house.

--
The latest Slashdot meme.
1. Re:Hey! FBI! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 05:08 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  And see if you can get back my VCR and tape collection from the guy who burglarized my house.
  
  Uhh...it's not the FBI's job to recover your porn collection, assmonkey.
Re:All screeners? by FatalTourist · 2004-01-23 04:38 · Score: 5, Funny

Quiet you fool! You'll ruin everything!
Yes, this Caridi guy was the sole source. Guess you can stop looking! Right, everyone?

--

Escape Pod Films: Sketch Comedy and Web Series
Mysterious Uploading by barryfandango · 2004-01-23 04:51 · Score: 4, Funny

"The FBI affidavit does not explain how the films were uploaded to the Internet."

The FBI understands how the screeners were distributed and then illegally copied using elaborate equipment. As for how that digital information made it on to the interweb, they are still researching the possibilities. Their suspicions include the use of some kind of Computing Machine.

--
In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane. -Oscar Wilde
It's his birthday! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 05:10 · Score: 2, Funny

Happy 70th Birthday, Carmine! Our agents will be there shortly with your birthday present.
- Love, FBI.
Re:Thank you.... by WhodoVoodoo · 2004-01-23 05:11 · Score: 5, Funny

Yeah! I for one am sick and tired of seeing major Hollywod studios go out of business! Oh, if only people had watched 'Cheaper by the Dozen' In theaters instead of pirating it to realize it was terrible! Why! If only they were able to profit in some way from these movies somehow!
Re:Don't burn him by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 05:38 · Score: 1, Funny

HAHAH that two-bit actor is one of the voters for the Acadamy Awards? No wonder Most movies suck ass
Re:They will both serve lengthy prision terms by drinkypoo · 2004-01-23 05:41 · Score: 3, Funny

The article says Janklow blamed it on being a diabetic and not having eaten in 11 hours. That is no excuse, and should not even be mentioned in court, except as a preface to the statement "but since I knew I was a diabetic, and that would affect my driving, you should throw me in the slammer for being a fucking asshole."

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Re:Thank you.... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 05:51 · Score: 1, Funny

I thought you said $7 for a MANATEE - and I thought to myself, that's a pretty good deal for all that meat, eh?

just thought i'd let y'all know that.
I am Russell Sprague, not this Russell Sprague by Kingfox · 2004-01-23 06:49 · Score: 3, Funny

My name is Russell Sprague, and I have been frightened and alarmed.

I've had this /. article emailed a few times to me, had my boss's boss taunting me since the moment he walked in the door... Today's not a good day to be a Russell Sprague.
Re:The movies mentioned in the article by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-23 07:20 · Score: 2, Funny

Check the nfo of Thirteen for a nice description of how they recruit people.
OK, so I checked the .nfo:

"At the edge of adolescence, Tracy is a smart straight-A student--if not a little naive. When she befriends Evie, the most popular and beautiful girl in school, Evie leads Tracy down a path of sex..."

Yet you're busy reading the RECRUITING APPLICATION?!?
Re:Thank you.... by Gilmoure · 2004-01-23 11:29 · Score: 2, Funny

Another problem with the home theater is that you have to make the popcorn a day in advance and set it out so that it has that nice, stale texture. If you haven't done proper planning, you will miss out on the theater experience. For the drinks, you only have to leave them out for an hour or so, to make them warm and flat tasting.

--
I drank what? -- Socrates