BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – A 22-calendar year-outdated Chico man was sentenced to probation, fines and group provider after admitting to illegally hacking a number of pcs at Chico Condition.
Alejandro Benitez appeared in Butte County Remarkable Courtroom on Thursday exactly where he entered a plea of no contest to the crime of unauthorized laptop obtain.
Butte County Outstanding Court Commissioner Kurt Worley sentenced Benitez to 3 many years of probation and fines of $370.
Butte County District Legal professional Mike Ramsey mentioned the unlawful “hacking” led to a listing of University students who experienced applied for COVID-19 vaccine exemptions staying posted on the net.
The list provided requests from about 130 learners – 18 of the entries experienced students’ individual identifying information and facts.
Related: Chico State information breach leaks names of pupils requesting exemptions from vaccine
An investigation by University Police of the posted spreadsheet was traced again to Benitez, a the latest Chico State graduate who worked in the Information Technology Assistance Products and services Business office (ITSS), according to Ramsey.
University Police also said it was learned that a Chico State professor had notified the media of the on the web posts. Ramsey explained the professor also instructed police about the posts.
Connected: Chico Point out supplies statement about COVID-19 vaccination details breach
In accordance to Ramsey, the professor “alerted his union and the media with the hope any probable civil legal rights and privacy violations would be investigated.”
The professor does not face rates. Ramsey explained the professor’s actions were being not felony as the criminal carry out, in this circumstance, was unlawfully accessing the University’s computer systems.
By illegally accessing and downloading information through his employment from at minimum two desktops assigned to Chico State administrators, Benitez was capable to get the private exemptions listing.
In accordance to Ramsey, Benitez attempted to redact students’ personalized details but failed to eliminate data positioned in other columns of the spreadsheet.
Ramsey said the terms of Benitez’s probation include 80 several hours of group company and a prohibition from accepting employment where he could have obtain to a laptop except permitted by the court.
Commissioner Worley mentioned Benitez will be required to serve a minimal of 180 days in Butte County Jail for any probation violations.
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