Internet Law News

Florida Man Sentenced for Causing Damage and Transmitting Threat to Former Employer's Computer System

Gregory A. White, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that Ricardo Benimeli, aka Richard Benimeli, age 55, of 6171 9th Avenue Circle, Bradenton, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan, in connection with Benimeli’s recent conviction on charges of causing damage to a protected computer system.

Benimeli was placed on probation for 2 years, the first six months of which will be served in home detention. He must provide a list of all current clients of his computer consulting business to the probation office and must notify all current customers of his conviction. Benimeli was also ordered to pay $10,000.00 in restitution to the victim within 90 days, and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

On February 7, 2006, a federal grand jury in Cleveland, Ohio, returned a two count indictment charging Benimeli with one count of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer system and one count of transmitting threatening interstate communications. (See news release dated 2/7/06 for details of offense conduct).

On April , 2006, Benimeli was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Cleveland at which time he entered a guilty plea to Count 1 of the Indictment pursuant to a plea agreement reached with the government. Count 2 was dismissed at the time of sentencing.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Kern, Cybercrimes Coordinator for the Cleveland U.S. Attorney’s Office, following an investigation by the Canton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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	Did You Know?
	About computer trespass or hacking Or known as hacking, any person who uses a computer or computer network with knowledge that such use is without authority and with the intention of: Deleting or in any way removing, either temporarily or permanently, any computer program or data from a computer or computer network; (2) Obstructing, interrupting, or in any way interfering with the use of a computer program or data; or (3) Altering, damaging, or in any way causing the malfunction of a computer, computer network, or computer program, regardless of how long the alteration, damage, or malfunction persists