I believe that Ed was the first person to be sentenced under PA's new anti-toll fraud law which makes it illegal to build, distribute, or distribute plans for, or use "toll-fraud" devices which include EEPROM burners, cellular diagnostic equipment, etc. The Man couldn't put him away for any length of time for that, so they're trying another angle. ObCrypto: When they pass laws against "info-laundering"/"electronic identity hiding" tools, it'll probably go something like this. =========BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE========= Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 06:48:44 -0500 (EST) From: Emmanuel Goldstein <emmanuel@2600.COM> Subject: Bernie S. Sentencing Friday I just found out that Bernie S. will be sentenced this Friday morning at 9 am in Easton, PA for the crime of removing batteries from a tone dialer several years ago. This is defined as a victimless misdemeanor for which the judge in this small town (under considerable influence from the Secret Service) set bail at $250,000. He could get two years in prison at sentencing. Press attention could be very helpful in avoiding a sentence as irrational as the bail setting - right now the only influence these people are getting is from the Secret Service and they want to put Bernie S away for as long as they can. If you're not entirely up to date on this story, finger bernies@2600.com for all of the details. If you know of anyone who will cover this story, please get ahold of them right away so they can plan on being there. If anyone is interested in going, let me know so we can hopefully fill some cars from NYC. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, January 26 at 9 am Courtroom 5 Northampton County Government Center 7th and Washington Street Easton, PA 18042-7492 (610) 559-3020 (district attorney) case # 2173-1993 The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. Edward E. Cummings Misdemeanor 2 - tampering with physical evidence Please help spread the word. emmanuel@2600.com =========END FORWARDED MESSAGE=========