Category Archives: Computer Crimes

Lawmakers across the country have enacted computer-related legislation in efforts to keep up with rapid advances in technology. However, a recent case involving a Michigan man facing trial for reading his wife’s emails asks a new question: how does computer-related privacy laws apply to domestic cases?

Out-of-state police have arrested a 35 year-old Michigan woman for enticing an underage person to engage in sexual activity. The suspect and the victim met each other in 2009 through the popular Internet game “World of Warcraft.”

Ten young men from the Metro Detroit area have been named as prime suspects in a theft ring targeting Detroit Public Schools. Among the accused is Dion Sims, a sophomore football player for Michigan State University.

Detectives from the FBI recently arrested a Lake Orion pastor who was busted attempting to solicit sex from minors in an online sting. William Bendert was charged with federal sex offenses after attempting to set up a “sexual training” session with an 11 year-old girl and her mother. Unfortunately for Bendert, the “mother” turned out to be a Federal agent.

After immense political pressure from 17 Attorney Generals nationwide, the popular online forum, Craigslist, has censored its adult services section to curb illegal activity on the website.

Police recently arrested a former General Motors engineer and her husband for attempting to sell intellectual property secrets to Chinese auto makers regarding the design of hybrid cars.

Police arrested a long-time family doctor last week for receiving child pornography online. After receiving a warrant from U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) officials, investigators searched Craig Tubbs, M.D., 45, email account and discovered numerous images of kiddie porn. As a result, he was arrested and faces 20 years in jail if convicted of the sex crimes against him.

Only two weeks after being sentenced to six months probation for a previous impaired driving charge, former Michigan Speaker of the House Craig DeRoche has been arrested on gun charges after a family member reported that he was in possession of a firearm and intoxicated.

One of the main responsibilities that police officers have is to serve as watchmen, keeping the state safe from any dangerous activity while promoting public safety. However, the public must ask the ultimate questions: if law enforcement officials are watching us, then who is keeping an eye on them?

Web-surfers and online product reviewers: be warned, posting your opinions online can be dangerous and costly. Such is the example of Western Michigan University student Justin Kurtz who was recently sued for slander and libel after expressing an unfavorable review of a local towing company in an online social forum.