Woman Charged for Unlawful Access to Computer Server

Emily M. Sweeney, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that a one count indictment was returned by a Federal Grand Jury in Cleveland, Ohio, charging Melissa S. Brown, age 30, of 115 Tilden Avenue, Chardon, Ohio, with computer fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(a)(5)(A).

The indictment charges that on or about April 14, 2001, Brown knowingly caused the transmission of a program, information, code or command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally caused damage, without authorization, to a protected computer server owned and/or operated by Christian & Timbers, 25825 Science Park Drive, Beachwood, Ohio.

The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(a)(5)(A) (computer fraud) is 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Kern, following an investigation by the Cleveland Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

• More information on: Brown's Sentence
• More information on: Brown's Plea
• More information on: Computer Intrusion Cases
• More information on: Computer Crime

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