Jonathan James admitted to hacking into a Pentagon system that monitors threats from nuclear weapons and a NASA system that supports the international space station, giving him access to over 3,000 government e-mail messages, both crimes being committed when he was only 15.
In hacking into the NASA system, James downloaded NASA proprietary software that cost $1.7 million that supports the space station’s environmental systems.
James has since expressed his regret, saying "Never again. It's not worth it, because all of it was for fun and games and they're putting me in jail for it. I don't want that to happen again."
In a New Orleans court, a man who sold marijuana over his web site to 149 customers has been fined $200,000 and sentenced to five months in custody and five months under house arrest.
Michael David Aronov, a 48 year-old from California, claimed he sold the drug for medicinal use only. The fine reflected the revenue Aronov had made in his four year old business.
Aranov claimed he always demanded proof from customers that the drug was needed for medicinal purposes. In his home state, distribution of the drug is allowed if medically prescribed, but it is illegal in Louisiana.
