Date:
From: mcmullen@well.sf.ca.us
Subject: File 3--Federal Seizure of "Hacker" Equipment"  (Newsbytes Reprint)

FEDERAL SEIZURE OF  "HACKER" EQUIPMENT 12/16/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 DEC 16 (NB)  -- Newsbytes has learned
that a joint Unites States Secret Service / Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) team has executed search warrants at the homes of
so-called "hackers" at various locations across the country and seized
computer equipment.

It is Newsbytes information that warrants were executed on Friday,
February 6th in various places including New York City, Pennsylvania
and the state of Washington. According to informed sources, the
warrants were executed pursuant to investigations of violations of
Title 18 of the federal statutes, sections 1029 & 1030 (Computer Fraud
and Abuse Act, 1343 (Wire Fraud) and 2511 (Wiretapping).

Law enforcement officials contacted by Newsbytes, while acknowledging
the warrant execution, refused to comment on what was called "an
on-going investigation." One source told Newsbytes that the affidavits
underlying the search warrants have been sealed due to the on-going
nature of the investigation."

He added "There was obviously enough in the affidavits to convince
judges that there was probable cause that evidence of a crime would be
found if the search warrants were issued."

The source also said that he would expect a statement to be issued by
the Secret Service/FBI team "somewhere after the first of the year."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19911216)

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