High Schoolers to Face Felony Charges over Internet Downloads
by Brendan Coyne (bio)
Aug 11, 2005 - More than a dozen students at a Pennsylvania high school are facing felony charges after allegedly violating school rules on downloading programs and other uses of laptops provided to the children through a new initiative.
The Kutztown Area High School students allegedly bypassed security measures on school-provided laptop computers, allowing them to download instant messenger programs, music and even, in one case, pornography, the Morning Call reported on August 1.
At least thirteen students reportedly stand accused of violating rules supposedly agreed to upon receipt of the computers. In a May 31 letter, law enforcement officials notified parents of the alleged perpetrators that the children were being charged with "Computer Trespass," a third degree felony.
The letter notified parents that the children "must present themselves in a timely manner to the arresting police department for the purposes of fingerprinting and identification."