A Johnstown writer and publisher of erotic and romance novels was recently arrested and charged with Computer Crime, Money Laundering, Theft and Tax Evasion. According to the news report, the woman was accused of stealing more than $125,000 from 15 clients over a 2-year period. Apparently, one of the authors had contacted the Weld County DA’s office after noticing some discrepancies in royalty payments. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the publisher had been manipulating sales reports to decrease sales numbers and ‘under report’ the actual figures, keeping the difference.
Weld County Computer Crime Attorney: What is Computer Crimes?
A person can be charged with Computer Crime – C.R.S. 18-5.5-102 – for one of the following reasons:
- Accessing a computer, network, or system without permission;
- Accessing a computer, network, or system to scheme or defraud;
- Accessing a computer, network, or system to falsely obtain money, property, services, or passwords, or other thing of value;
- Accessing a computer, network, or system to commit Theft;
- Damaging, interrupting, or impairing a computer, network, or system without authorization;
- Transmitting a program to cause damage, interrupt, or impair a computer, network, or system; or
- Using a software application to unlawfully access a computer, network, or system to circumvent measures keeping a buyer from getting more than the limited number of event tickets allotted.
Most likely, the woman above was charged with this crime under parts b and d. The publisher allegedly accessed and then changed the e-book sales reports to defraud and commit Theft.
Computer Crime Sentence / Punishment in Greeley, Colorado?
Much like Theft, Computer Crime is charged as a felony or misdemeanor based on the loss, damage, value of thing taken, or cost of reparation. In the case above, the woman was accused of committing Computer Crimes to collect $125,000 – meaning she would be facing a class 3 felony charge. In Greeley, Erie, and Sterling, a class 3 felony Computer Crime conviction is punishable by 4 to 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $750,000 in fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Computer Crime in Weld, Morgan, or Logan County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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