T-Mobile hacker gets slap on the wrist
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Aug 31st 2006 at 6:36PM
What better deterrent to breaking into T-Mobile's customer database, than a year of being forced to sit at home with nothing to do but screw around on the 'puter? We can't imagine, and apparently neither could U.S. District Judge George King, sentencing 23 year old Nicholas Lee Jacobsen to a whopping 365 days of home detention for the 2004 crime in which several hundred names and Social Security numbers were swiped (not to mention the Sidekick contents of a Secret Service agent, of all people). To be fair, the hoodlum was also ordered to pay T-Mobile ten grand -- and we have to believe the feds are doing what they can to keep Mr. Jacobsen away from technology for the time being -- but we wouldn't have minded seeing some hard time involved.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
itsgreen @ Aug 31st 2006 6:53PM
Wouldn't we? I find the punishment still a little harsh. As far as I know, he didn't actually do that much.
Scott @ Sep 1st 2006 10:09AM
Wait...why would a secret service agent have a sidekick? You'd think he be little more professional with it (Treo or Blackberry anyone?).
Andre @ Sep 1st 2006 1:56AM
I don't think it's harsh... he could have gotten 365 days of ass-pounding jail time to really rock his world.
Andre @ Sep 1st 2006 5:47AM
I don`t think it is harsh at all! He deserves to get punished. He commited a crime. I think he is lucky to get this "punishment".
Otto Nimitz @ Sep 1st 2006 8:55AM
OMG, WTF, A Secret Service Agent!!! Your government is tapping your calls illegally and you guys want this kid in jail? Think about the crimes of information and their actual impact on society before you start ranting. I'm sure if I slipped you a pic of the newest Apple SUPER MEDIA BLASTER IPOD CREAM YOUR JEANS PMP and broke a NDA you'd be more than happy to look the other way.
Jay @ Sep 1st 2006 9:58AM
The former Santa Ana resident who now lives in Oregon said he lacked ``comprehension and maturity'' when he targeted the network of Bellevue, Wash.-based T-Mobile USA, uncovering the names and Social Security numbers of 400 customers.
Otto Nimitz @ Sep 1st 2006 10:16AM
Now that I've been thinking about it, chicks that whip out Sidekicks during a date should be sent to prison, this guy should get a reward for f'ing 'em up.
CBR PEO @ Sep 1st 2006 12:32PM
He wouldn't even get ass pounding jail time...he would be sentenced to a nice contemporary new jails with sleep number beds and a star buc and new york times and wall street journal in every cell. White Collar Crimes. You think they would put this kid in with car theives, gang members and rapists? No Sir!
blake @ Sep 1st 2006 12:38PM
why would a secret service agent have a kick? they are the least secure device you can purchase. :bangs head:
mithereal @ Sep 2nd 2006 5:58AM
security is a blanket for those who are afraid to hide under. it is neither safe nor secure, it is only a tool for personal confort. in the end it is those "hackers" who make us feel more secure by exploiting the weaknesses in the maleboge. how are we to know security unless we are reminded of fear? it is all perporanite and equil. so many ppl are quick to judge and sling mud, no one is perfect so think about your past before judging ne1 elses.