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Mitnick Finally Receives Federal Sentence
Anonymous Coward writes "According to ZDNet, Kevin Mitnick has finally been sentenced to 46 months less time served, and $4,125 in restitution. He's also banned from using computers for three years, which will make a total of seven since he was captured. Can't help but wonder if the guy broke a mirror." He's eligible for immediate reassignment to a halfway house, and could be out next January if he meets "good behavior" requirements. Not good, but not nearly as bad as it could have been, especially the restitution.
Whilst I agree that the restriction probably isn't meant to include use of -embedded- computers, that is down to how the probation officer interprets the restrictions. It isn't specified directly, as far as I can tell.
To make things more complex, some US banks apparently charge you for using teller services, rather than ATMs. If Mitnick is unlucky, whatever bank he's with could make a healthy profit out of this.
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
A poster above brought up a good point. I mean, can he not use an ATM or a microwave? What definition of "Computer" are they using? Isn't almost everything a computer now? I mean, what if he gets a job as a Janitor and he has to use a computerized time clock system? He can't take that job? Are they specifying this somewhere, or just leaving it up in the air?
What about Playstation and the like? Do those count as computers? How about Playstation 2, which will be more powerful than a normal computer? Hmmm? Anybody got any info on this?
rooooar
testicles posting anonymously? I know your opinion is not all that popular on this site but at least stand up for your views and explain them.
At this point in this whole trial, I don't care if he did do it or he didn't do it, the system clearly failed. No one and I mean no one should sit in prision for more than 4 years without a trial. In addition, the treatment the prosecutors in this case was less than professional. You do not spew your opinion across the media and stall and stall and stall your case.
They basically got the media into a hacker/cracker hating frenzy to help out their case!
Geez. How much is a plane ticket to Switzerland. I think I am tired being a US Citizen.
"It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong." - Voltaire
Actually, there is a big difference between your examples and mine. In my examples, the uses are as basic, natural, and innocent as, say, using a computer is to a hacker. A computer is generally the most common means to a perfectly legal livelihood for a hacker.
;)
To pick on one of your examples, a robber using a gun for his livelihood is not nearly as legal -- or as defendable. Now, you can feel free to quibble with my examples.
Geeky modern art T-shirts
I'd bet he could get three or four times that as an advance on a book, if he's even remotely capable of putting words on paper. Then go for the movie deal.
;)
Then Slashdot and Freshmeat could post articles about it, with links to the Amazon record for them, and can get free books and stuff! And pretend that's not what they're doing! Oh wait, this isn't the X10 thing.
J/K about the X10 thing... and no this isn't flaimbait, although I bet I get thwacked for it and lose a point or two.
Anyway, at least the scriptkiddies will have to come up with something more creative than "Free Kevin!" to stick on web pages. Maybe hack in links to X10.com!
I'd certainly buy his book...
The "no computers" provision is just stupid. Computers are in everything these days. When money launderers are given probation, I don't hear about them not being allowed to use cash for 3 years. People who write bomb threats aren't barred from using pen and paper.
Also, I think some people need their heads readjusted, judging by some of the comments here. He is not a danger to society - he is not a violent criminal. Violent criminals deserve to be shut away for life, not petty thieves. If i met Mitnick in the street, I would not be afraid in the slightest, since he has not shown a tendancy to harm anyone.
Also, the court decided on $4000 restitution. I guess we can see what the court thought of Sun, et al's, $80 million+ claims.
10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
Linux may suck, but ol' kevin certainly won't be able to decide for himself for a few more years...
-Chris
Now what good can come from banning a hacker from using a computer? Surely that is an unconstitutional violation of the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments!
It seems sort of like banning prostitutes from having sex or embezzelers from owning or using money. I guess when they do that I'll believe again in "equal protection under the law".
Geeky modern art T-shirts
Do you think anyone will send him a free PC after the 3 years? That would be great publicity...
Um, this is my sig.
The woes of not learning how to touch-type...
There is a halfway house for computer thieves? Martha Stewart's house?