Michigan Man Gets 30 Months For Conspiracy To Order Destructive Computer Attacks On Business Competitors

cybercrime.gov, Aug 30, 2006

Newark, N.J. -- A Michigan man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for conspiring to conduct highly destructive computer attacks on competitors of his online sportswear business, including a web-based New Jersey company, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

U.S. District Judge Joseph E. Irenas also ordered Jason Salah Arabo, 19, of Southfield, Michigan, to make restitution of $504,495 to his victims -- the websites he targeted as well as an Internet hosting company.

Arabo pleaded guilty today before Judge Irenas on April 12, to a one-count Information charging him with conspiracy to cause the transmission of a program, information, code, and command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally cause damage without authorization, to a protected computer.

In pleading guilty, Arabo acknowledged that in 2004, he ran two web-based companies, customleader.com and jerseydomain.com, that sold sports apparel, including reproductions of sports uniforms, popularly known as "retro" or "throwback" jerseys.

"Arabo's 30-month prison sentence reflects the very serious and damaging nature of the computer attacks he orchestrated," said Christie. "This case went far beyond a teenager using his computer for online pranks. We will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute the misuse of computers to commit crime." Read more at cybercrime.gov