Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) |
Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) |
OCTOBER 16, 1998
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIAHelen F. Fahey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia announced today that Trung Ngo, age 32, of Falls Church, Virginia, pled guilty before the Honorable Albert V. Bryan, Jr. to a charge of repeated telecommunications harassment. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Defense Information Infrastructure Intrusion Investigation Team, a special unit of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (Dcis), Department of Defense (DOD).
The defendant faces maximum penalties of two (2) years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and one (1) year of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for January 8, 1999.
According to documents filed in court, Trung Ngo, a former DOD employee, who was later employed at The General Services Administration (GSA) caused to be sent numerous anonymous e-mail messages to a current senior, supervisory level defense department employee at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) which were harassing in nature. Trung Ngo had worked as a telecommunications specialist for the victim at DISA from March 28, 1994 through September 30, 1995.
Around September 1995, Ngo was assigned to another organization at DISA. In February 1998, Ngo left DISA, and joined the GSA.
Beginning in April 1998 and continuing through July 1998 Trung Ngo caused to be sent unwanted e-mail messages, sometimes over fifty (50) per day, for the purpose of harassing the victim. The victim received these messages at his DISA e-mail account. In addition, at the end of 1995 the victim began receiving unsolicited magazines, figurines, and other products at his home via U.S. postal mail. Some items had been purchased and some of the magazine subscriptions had been entered in the victim's name.
Ms. Fahey commended the DCIS, DOD for their outstanding efforts in this matter. This case is being handled for the United States Attorney's Office by Special Assistant United States Attorney David J. Goldstone.
Further inquiries may be directed to the United States Attorney's Office at 703-299-3700.
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